Responsive To Movement Of Work Patents (Class 81/429)
  • Patent number: 5172616
    Abstract: This torque wrench includes an operating lever, an output shaft rotatable with the operating lever, a one-way rotation restricting system that rotates a threaded part in only one direction, a torque measuring system for measuring clamping torque, a rotating parts group which rotates with an output shaft, a stationary parts group restricted for relative displacement with an object by means of clamping the object, a rotating angle measuring system for measuring a rotating angle toward the object and a measuring output system for outputting values measured by the rotating angle measuring system and the torque measuring system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1992
    Assignee: TEAC Corporation
    Inventor: Masaki Negishi
  • Patent number: 5142954
    Abstract: A hole drill/fastener driving tool has a drive tube and a nut driver. A declutching sleeve which is intended to remain stationary during fastener driving receives the nut driver with the hex end of the nut driver passing through the closed end of the sleeve into the drive tube. A spacing is defined between the front of the nut driver and sleeve for declutching the nut driver when the screw is set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: Emhart, Inc.
    Inventor: David E. Starke
  • Patent number: 5067567
    Abstract: Apparatus for remote handling operations in which a tool carrier is provided with elongate resilient members which permit transverse or lateral displacement of the tool carrier to thereby cater for misalignment between the tool carrier and an object to be engaged by a tool mounted on the tool carrier. During such displacement the resilient members maintain the axis of the tool parallel to the axis of the remainder of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 26, 1991
    Assignee: British Nuclear Fuels plc
    Inventor: Duncan A. Webster
  • Patent number: 5044233
    Abstract: A depth adjuster for a rotary tool such as a screwdriver having a tool bit projecting through a nose provided at the front end of the rotary tool. The depth adjustor comprises a locator sleeve mounted on the nose to project on the front end of the tool in such a manner as to surround the tool bit. The locator sleeve has an internal thread engaged with an external thread on the nose so as to be axially movable relative to the nose and the tool bit as the sleeve rotates about the nose. A lock ring is fitted on the nose to be rotatively fixed but axially movable relative thereto. The lock ring is biased towards the locator sleeve by a spring for locking engagement into the locator sleeve so as to rotatively fix the locator sleeve around the nose, whereby retaining the locator sleeve at a desired axial position relative to the nose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunihiko Tatsu, Masao Torigoe, Syoichi Hongo, Masao Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 5012708
    Abstract: Depth locator apparatus for insert bit holders provides a means for adjustably setting the depth of a screw head relative to a fastened work-piece surface. The apparatus is comprised of a sleeve, externally threaded, and with an internal bore to affixedly engage the drive end of a bit holder. The apparatus additionally includes two locking rings with internal threads to engage the external thread of the sleeve. The depth of the fastener relative to the work-piece surface is determined by the location of the outermost lock ring, relative to the insert bit, as it locates against the surface, being constrained against axial movement by the rearmost lock ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Inventor: J. Richard Martindell
  • Patent number: 4906980
    Abstract: The start of the final tightening of a screwdriver and rotation of the screwdriver after the start of the final tightening are detected. The detected rotation is compared with a standard value. The screwdriver should rotate very little during the final tightening, if it is normally operated. Consequently when the detected rotation is more than the standard value, one may assume false rotation of the screwdriver has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Hayashi Tokei Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Kenji Fukuhara
  • Patent number: 4899591
    Abstract: A method of measuring the load in a member subjected to longitudinal stress, a load measuring device and a fastener tightening device using the method of measuring, a load indicating member and a load indicating fastener for use in conjunction with the method of measuring, a method of making the load indicating fastener, a method of tightening the load indicating fastener and a transducer for instrumenting a load bearing member are each disclosed and claimed. A thin piezoelectric sensor consisting of a piezoelectric film sandwiched between two thin electrodes is permanently mechanically and acoustically coupled to the upper surface of a member and is used to determine the length, tensile load, stress, or other tensile load dependent characteristic of the member by ultrasonic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: SPS Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
  • Patent number: 4856389
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for setting fastener elements or pins, particularly to a screw-setting device. The device comprises a housing in which a retainer shaft for a setting tool is mounted at least for axial displacement, at least one advance drive mechanism within the housing and adapted to be connected to the retainer shaft, a switching sleeve mounted for displacement together with the retainer shaft and defining at least one switch-off point, at least one sensor device supported in the housing for defining the switch-off point, and an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the switch-off point. In known devices of this type, the accurate and rapid adjustment of the switch-off point is difficult. According to the invention the adjustment mechanism is provided within the housing between the switching sleeve and the retainer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1989
    Assignee: Weber-Schraubautomaten GmbH & Co., K.G.
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Weber
  • Patent number: 4809572
    Abstract: A power driven screwdriver includes a housing, a drive motor mounted within the housing, and a main gear rotatably driven by the drive motor. A spindle is axially movably supported within the housing and has a driver bit secured thereto. The spindle has a groove formed in the rear end thereof. A claw clutch mechanism is provided and is actuated by axial movement of the spindle so as to transmit and disconnect the rotation of the main gear to the spindle. The claw clutch mechanism includes a fixed clutch member formed on the main gear and a movable clutch member mounted on the spindle adjacent the rear end thereof. The movable clutch member has a groove formed in the forward end thereof in opposed relation to the groove of the spindle. One of the grooves of the spindle and the movable clutch member is configured to form an axially inclined groove. Engaging means is interposed between the groove of the spindle and the groove of the movable clutch member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Makita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiko Sasaki
  • Patent number: 4762035
    Abstract: A depth adjusting device for a screwdriver which is adapted to control within predetermined desired limits the depth to which a fastener may be driven into a work. The depth adjusting device comprises a locking ring retentively engaging the tool housing, and an adjusting sleeve axially movably carried by the locking ring. The locking ring has a spiral ridge formed on the inner periphery thereof, and the adjusting sleeve has a spiral groove formed peripherally about the rear portion thereof and engageable with the spiral ridge of the locking ring. The locking ring also has an axial slit formed therein and a pair of lugs formed across the slit. A thumb screw is provided to tighten the lugs and thence to retain the locking ring on the adjusting sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1988
    Assignee: Makita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Fusao Fushiya, Tetsuhisa Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4760746
    Abstract: A torque to yield indicator and method. An indicator and dial members are coaxially mounted relative to the shank of a torque wrench. One corotates with the shank; the other is freewheeling. After the specified torque load is applied to a fastener, the freely rotatable member is held against movement. When the torque wrench is further rotated, the dial and scale on the members show the amount of relative angular movement which is stopped when the preselected amount of rotation has occurred.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1988
    Assignee: Fel-Pro Incorporated
    Inventors: Gregory M. Kruse, Harold P. Patton
  • Patent number: 4753142
    Abstract: In order to be able to remove a screw that has been installed, in a power-driven screwing head, it is proposed according to the present invention that the recessed portion of smaller diameter be divided into two zones that extend in the longitudinal direction of the sleeve, there being a recessed portion of greater diameter between said zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1988
    Assignee: Helfer & Co., KG
    Inventor: Ewald Hornung
  • Patent number: 4653358
    Abstract: A device for rotating a screw into or out of a workpiece, the device being connectible to a power drill and including a screw driving member. There is provided between the power drill and the screw driving member a mechanism for determining the direction of rotation of the screw-driving member and a torque-adjusting mechanism for controlling the depth a screw is to be driven into a workpiece and including clutch means rotatably associated with the rotational-direction determining mechanism. The rotational-direction determining mechanism comprises a planetary gear system, whereof the planet carrier is adapted to be locked to effect rotation of the screw-driving member in a screw-extraction sense (i.e. reverse rotation) or to be released to effect rotation of the screw-driving member in a screw-insertion sense (i.e. forwards rotation).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1987
    Assignees: Julien Jean Louis Lankry, John Morton Johnson
    Inventor: Julien J. L. Lankry
  • Patent number: 4647260
    Abstract: A depth-adjusting system for a power tool includes a housing nose portion on which is snapped a two-piece, molded plastic depth-adjusting subassembly. Each member of the subassembly engages a respective area of the nose portion. An adjustment member is rotatably connected to the nose portion, but is releasably restrained from axial movement upon engagement with a split-ring detent on the nose portion. A locator member is threadably connected inside the adjustment member, but is restained from rotating through the interaction of integral keys formed on its interior cylindrical surface with mating longitudinal keyways formed on the nose portion. Thus when the operator rotates the adjustment member, the locator member is forced to move axially forwardly or rearwardly, depending upon the direction of rotation of the adjustment member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1984
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Frank O'Hara, John W. Miller
  • Patent number: 4630512
    Abstract: In a motor-driven screw driving device, a drive unit and a drive member are located within a housing and are interconnected by a torque-limiting coupling. The coupling is adjustable by changing the force applied to a spring element. The spring element is supported within a stop sleeve located within the housing and the stop sleeve is axially displaceable relative to the housing. A depth stop on the drive spindle is adjustable relative to the stop sleeve. An actuating sleeve accessible on the exterior of the screw driving device affords the adjustment of the stop sleeve and the depth stop. A connecting element is secured to the actuating sleeve and is in engagement with the depth stop so that the actuating sleeve and depth stop can be rotated as a unit. The connecting element is selectively engageable with the stop sleeve so that the actuating sleeve and stop sleeve can be rotated as a unit for adjusting the torque-limiting coupling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Paul Durr
  • Patent number: 4625597
    Abstract: A screw driving apparatus has a housing (1) for the drive system and a hollow screw guide member (2) rigidly secured to the housing (1). A screw driver blade (5) is axially displaceable in the hollow screw guide member and relative to a drive motor forming part of the drive system. This arrangement of the components results in a compact short structure with a handle located near the center of gravity of the structure. Hence, the apparatus can be operated by one hand only and an operator has his other hand free, for example, to hold a work piece (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1986
    Assignee: Karl M. Reich Maschinenfabrik GmbH
    Inventor: Adolf Cast
  • Patent number: 4617843
    Abstract: An electrically-operated driver is constructed such that when a screw begins to be driven, axial movements of a bit is transmitted to a switch mounted on a reduction gear, which engages with a shaft of an electric motor, to turn on or off the switch. In the driver, a distance between the switch and a clutch bearing a thrust from the bit is made short so as to eliminate scattering in strokes required for actuating the switch, which scattering would be produced by axial accumulative errors of parts constituting an actuating mechanism for the switch. Accordingly, movements of the bit are transmitted to the switch with certainty to stably start and stop the motor of the electrically-operated driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1986
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshikazu Nishida, Isamu Hashimoto
  • Patent number: 4613000
    Abstract: A powered fastening tool described herein is useful to align and secure structural members to each other, the structural members having misaligned securing apertures. To accomodate this misalignment two eccentric bushings are nested and swaged together to be inserted into one of the misaligned apertures to be turned therein by the powered tool until an alignment is reached. The tool holds a fastener while concurrently rotating each eccentric bushing at an independent rate until hole alignment is achieved. At this point, the tool inserts the fastener through the hole in the lower structure and is then used to rotate the fastener into threaded engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Inventor: Raymond J. Moore
  • Patent number: 4608872
    Abstract: The hand-operated ratchet spanner contains a measuring value pick-up (4,9) for the angle of rotation of the screw and a device for measuring the torque. The measured values are supplied to a microprocessor (22) in which the screw tightening operation is preprogrammed by respective desired or limit values. Signal lamps (30,31,32) or acoustic signal transmitters (33) indicate to the user as to whether the screw has been correctly tightened. Further, he may recognize the extent to which the screw has been tightened and which part of the tightening operation must be still effected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignees: Dr. Staiger, Mohilo & Co., GmbH, Belzer Dowidat GmbH
    Inventors: Eberhard Mayer, Oskar Mohilo, Jurgen Koltermann
  • Patent number: 4604921
    Abstract: An adjustable control assembly comprises first abutment means such as a U-shaped foot for placement against a workpiece, the first abutment means being provided on first spacing means such as a rod which is movable with respect to second abutment means such as a nut-like member, the second abutment means being provided on second spacing means such as a hollow tube which is movable with respect to third abutment means such as a combined pinch bracket and locator tube for attachment to a worktool, the preset distance between the first and third abutment means being adjustable to correspond to the desired initial position of the worktool with respect to the workpiece, and the preset distance between the second and third abutment means being adjustable to correspond to the maximum permitted advance of the worktool with respect to the workpiece, the preferred application of the adjustable control assembly being in the use of a rotary power tool to secure, to roof decking, a fastening assembly including an extensib
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 12, 1986
    Assignee: ITW Limited
    Inventor: George D. Hewison
  • Patent number: 4603464
    Abstract: A well tool and method for making up and breaking out connections between sections of drill pipe. The tool will jump the upper pipe section out of the connection when the connection has been completely unthreaded, and will guide the upper pipe section during stabbing. A piston and cylinder assembly is mounted on the carriage for raising and lowering the pipe spinner relative to the carriage. The tool also has an actuator and a pilot valve for automatically opening the clamping cylinders of the spinner whenever the upper pipe section is raised by the pipe elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 5, 1986
    Assignee: Hughes Tool Company
    Inventors: Roger Smith, Jr., Harry D. Hebard
  • Patent number: 4592257
    Abstract: A hand-held device for driving screws into a receiving member or material includes a housing and an axially extending depth stop mounted on the front end of the housing. The depth stop is adjusted in the axial direction relative to the housing by an actuating sleeve which encircles a part of the depth stop and of the housing. The sleeve is connected to the depth stop by a pin and is axially movable between a first position where it is fixed to the housing and a second position where it is rotatable relative to the housing. Catch elements on the actuating sleeve and the housing hold the actuating sleeve in the first position. In the first position the pin fixes the actuating sleeve against rotation relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1986
    Assignee: Hilti Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Paul Durr
  • Patent number: 4545270
    Abstract: A fastener assembly for attaching roofing insulation to roof decks. A washer with a broad load-distributing flange has a crushable region which is deformed as the fastener becomes fully seated. This region insures that the joint is loaded with a predetermined force before the depth-sensitive driver disengages reducing the likelihood of overdriving or underdriving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 1984
    Date of Patent: October 8, 1985
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: George G. Dewey
  • Patent number: 4515045
    Abstract: An automatic wrench comprises a high-torque, a low-torque, and a locking device. The wrench control system includes a torque detector and a rotation angle detector, in response to whose signals passing through an AND gate a control unit delivers a command to end the thread tighening by the rotation actuator of the high-torque device in screwing a pipe string together or to end the initial loosening of the thread with the aid of the same actuator in screwing it apart. The control unit incorporates a unit for monitoring the duration of the command execution, which stops operation of the high-torque device if no signal comes from said AND gate during the time alloted to accomplish the tightening or the initial loosening of the thread.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Spetsialnoe Konstruktorskoe Bjuro Seismicheskoi Tekhniki
    Inventors: Viktor V. Gnatchenko, Nikolai P. Makarov, Albert S. Shaginian, Alexei G. Asan-Dzhalalov, Anatoly A. Pevnev, Valery A. Panteleev, Alexandr P. Androsenko, Nikolai I. Davidenko, Zoya N. Mochalova, Leonid N. Palkin
  • Patent number: 4507817
    Abstract: A unique connector and insertion tool are disclosed. The connector is hollow with screw-type threads on its outer surface, an enlarged head at one end and a non-sharp configuration at the other end. The insertion tool has a non-sharp elongated shaft or piercer attached to a handle; the end of the piercer is adapted to allow piercing and passage through the materials being secured together. The connector slides over the piercing shaft, is held in secure non-rotating relation thereto, and is configured to penetrate the materials and be screwed into place by the insertion tool. The entire piercing and connection operation may be conducted in a twisting motion with just one hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Inventor: Stanley E. Staffeld
  • Patent number: 4302991
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided for plunging a fastener through a soft material preparatory to insertion of the fastener in a hard backing. The apparatus may be embodied as an attachment for a conventional fastener feed apparatus or as an improved form of feed apparatus itself. The improvement includes two telescoping members biased to a normal fully extended position. The members are engageable end-to-end with conventional telescoping elements of the feed apparatus and are axially movable with them. The force biasing the members apart is set so as to be substantially less than the force biasing the conventional elements to a fully extended position so that the fastener will be plunged through the soft material first upon application of a force, and then subsequently inserted into the backing upon application of additional force. Apparatus is provided for limiting the collapsed length of the members so as to control the depth of the plunge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1981
    Inventors: S. Bernard Brouse, John Wiedel
  • Patent number: 4296656
    Abstract: A driver bit attachment for a power tool for preventing over-torquing of the fastener. A driver bit is received in a first bore and a second larger bore of a cylindrical attachment body. A projection permits attachment to a drill or screw gun. The projection has a tapped recess extending axially therein which receives a set screw. The end of the set screw engages the trailing end of the driver bit to position it within the two bores and, thereby, determines the point at which the fastener will disengage itself from drive by pulling itself out of contact with the driver bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: Richard J. Ernst
  • Patent number: 4287923
    Abstract: A power-driven screwing head for use with a hand held power drill comprises a shank which can be clamped in the chuck of the drill. A screwdriver bit held in the head and consisting of a shank part and a blade part forms part of a coupling, which when a predetermined depth of screw penetration has been attained, automatically interrupts transmission of torque from the shank to the screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Inventor: Ewald Hornung
  • Patent number: 4237946
    Abstract: A chuck for holding and driving fasteners such as screws or nails comprises a spring-loaded bearing sleeve with fastener-clamping balls and a spring-loaded clamping sleeve tapered to constrict the balls around the shank of a fastener inserted into the chuck, the clamping sleeve having a space to receive the balls during insertion of the fastener and for releasing the fastener, after completion of the driving operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Inventor: Kajetan J. Leitner