Rotatable, Coaxial, Clutching Components Patents (Class 81/473)
  • Patent number: 11964334
    Abstract: An electric powered work machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a tool; a motor; a manual switch; an electric current path; a shunt resistor; a reference voltage generation circuit; and an electric current measurement circuit. The reference voltage generation circuit (i) generates a reference voltage having a first magnitude in response to a first condition being established, and (ii) generates the reference voltage having a second magnitude in response to the first condition not being established. The electric current measurement circuit (i) receives the reference voltage and a measured voltage, and (ii) outputs an output voltage based on the reference voltage and the measured voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: MAKITA CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hitoshi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 11858105
    Abstract: The present specification relates to a two-speed power transmission for a power tool comprising a planetary gear and a torque responsive gear shift mechanism for directing torque through the planetary gear in a high torque/low speed mode or past the planetary gear in a low torque/high speed mode, and comprising a driving member, a driven member, and a number of coupling elements arranged to intercouple in a first position the driving member and the driven member and in a second position the planetary gear and the driven member, the driving member comprising a number of recesses and axially acting first cam means for cooperation with the coupling elements in the first position forming part thereof. The present specification also relates to power tool comprising such a gear unit and a method for controlling such a power tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ATLAS COPCO INDUSTRIAL TECHNIQUE AB
    Inventor: Johan Rönblom
  • Patent number: 11839963
    Abstract: Power tool methods and systems are provided for controlling an operating mode of the power tool. A power tool includes a housing having a handle portion and a top portion. An input control device is located on the top portion of the housing for changing an operational mode of the power tool. The plurality of operational modes include at least a forward mode and a reverse mode. A controller includes an electronic processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the electronic processor configure the controller to receive a mode signal from the input control device indicating the selected one of the plurality of operational modes and operate the motor responsive to the mode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan T. Larsen
  • Patent number: 11583982
    Abstract: A torque limiter can include a housing and a shaft. The housing can include a housing magnet enclosed within the housing. The shaft can be at least partially surrounded by the housing and can be rotatable within the housing. The shaft can include a shaft magnet integrated with the shaft to magnetically couple with the housing magnet to transmit a torque between the housing and the shaft and configured to uncouple from the housing magnet allowing the shaft to rotate within the housing when a threshold torque is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Zimmer Biomet Spine, Inc.
    Inventor: Samuel James Farmer
  • Patent number: 11548122
    Abstract: An inline ratcheting mechanism for motorized hand tools that includes a drive body, a ratchet shaft, ratchet pawls, a reversing collar, and a reversing switch adapted to cause the reversing collar to engage or disengage the ratchet pawls with ratchet teeth of the ratchet shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventor: Ben T. Schulz
  • Patent number: 11498197
    Abstract: Power tool methods and systems are provided for controlling an operating mode of the power tool. A power tool includes a housing having a handle portion and a top portion. An input control device is located on the top portion of the housing for changing an operational mode of the power tool. The plurality of operational modes include at least a forward mode and a reverse mode. A controller includes an electronic processor and a memory storing instructions that when executed by the electronic processor configure the controller to receive a mode signal from the input control device indicating the selected one of the plurality of operational modes and operate the motor responsive to the mode signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan T. Larsen
  • Patent number: 11446799
    Abstract: A torque wrench is provided, including a main body, a driving portion, a positioning member, a torque adjusting assembly and a tripping assembly. The main body defines an axial direction. The driving portion is disposed on an end of the main body. The positioning member is fixedly disposed in the main body. The torque adjusting assembly includes an abutting member and a mandrel, and the mandrel is disposed in the main body, rotatable about the axial direction and screwed to the abutting member. The tripping assembly includes an elastic abutting member and a plurality of notches arranged circumferentially one of the elastic abutting member and the plurality of notches is disposed on the mandrel, and the other of the elastic abutting member and the plurality of notches is disposed on the positioning member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventor: Hung-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 11298808
    Abstract: A torque structure includes a first body provided with a first receiving chamber, a first indicator, and a second receiving chamber, a second body provided with a drive portion, a first elastic member biased against the drive portion, a first locking set received in the first receiving chamber, an adjusting set driven by the first body, an indication unit movable to indicate the torque of the torque structure, a third body assembly covering the indication unit, a second locking set rotatable relative to the first locking set, and a third locking set operable between a locking position where the first body cannot be rotated relative to the second body and an unlocking position where the first body is rotated relative to the second body to adjust the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Wen-Chin Kuo
  • Patent number: 11260508
    Abstract: A torque socket tool is provided, including: a main body, a driving member, an engaging member, a torque adjustment assembly and a rotating member. The main body defines an axial direction and has a first restricting portion. The driving member is rotatably disposed on the main body about the axial direction. The engaging member is slidably disposed on the main body. The torque adjustment assembly includes a mandrel. The mandrel is disposed within the main body and rotatable about the axial direction. The rotating member is non-rotatably sleeved with the mandrel and has a second restricting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventor: Hung-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 11207764
    Abstract: A torque socket tool includes a main body, a driving portion, an abutting member, an axle, and a sleeve member. The main body defines an axial direction. The abutting member is non-rotatably and slidably arranged in the main body. The sleeve member is rotatably sleeved onto the main body. A threaded section drives the abutting member to slide along the axial direction for adjusting the predetermined torque when the axle is rotated by rotating the sleeve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Inventor: Hung-Wen Huang
  • Patent number: 11124969
    Abstract: An apparatus for seaming roof assemblies having a modular provision of tooling stations is disclosed herein. Such an apparatus includes multiple tooling stations that may be added or removed on demand in order to facilitate different degrees of seaming engagements as needed. Such a device utilizes horizontal rollers to provide seaming of overlapping roof panel ends to reduce the potential for separation thereof after building erection has been undertaken, further impeding water egress therethrough and wind updraft damage, at least, as well. The modular device thus provides a manner of selecting specific numbers of horizontal rollers for seaming contact with metal roof panels, thereby allowing for different types of panels and end structures thereof, as well as reduce the propensity for jamming of such multiple rollers during utilization. The method of utilization of such a modular device is encompassed herein as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: RIDER RENTS SIX, LLC
    Inventor: Terry L. Rider
  • Patent number: 11053993
    Abstract: Integrated stator disk devices, systems, and methods for torque generation are provided. The resistive torque-generating device can include an integrated stator disk system including at least one metallic stator disk having a planar disk body, and at least one rotor disposed adjacent to the at least one metallic stator disk such that there are at least two shear areas formed by the at least one metallic stator disk and the at least one rotor; and magneto-rheological material disposed between portions of the at least one metallic stator disk and the at least one rotor. In some embodiments, the rotor(s) is/are a bent rotor(s), thereby providing for increased torque generation while fitting within tight space constraints.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: LORD Corporation
    Inventor: Daniel Meszaros
  • Patent number: 9027666
    Abstract: A power tool, in particular a hand-held power tool, preferably embodied as a cordless screwdriver, is equipped with a torque limiting unit in which the release torque is settable by way of a locking brace that is equipped with a spring brace for locking elements that abut axially against parts of a planetary drive, in particular the ring gear thereof or the planet carrier thereof as a last gear stage, the spring elements of the spring brace and the locking elements being located with a radial offset from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Hecht, Heiko Roehm, Martin Kraus
  • Patent number: 9021921
    Abstract: A torque wrench equipped with a cam-type torque detection mechanism is provided which is capable of detecting a torque with high accuracy, providing a non-unusual-feeling of handle operation after torque has been detected, and enabling tightening of fastened members such as bolts with safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: Tohnichi Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiro Ogata, Koichi Shimura, Yuji Kato, Shozo Aikawa, Hiroshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8973475
    Abstract: A torsion adjusting structure of a screwdriver includes an inner tube, a front micro-adjusting rod, a spring, an upper toothed block, a lower toothed block, a stop member, a compressive member, a regulating knob and an interacting member combined together, and the torsion adjusting structure is assembled in the handle of a screwdriver. To adjust the torsion of the screwdriver, an auxiliary tool is inserted in the polygonal recessed groove of the regulating knob to rotate the regulating knob having the graduation and number of a torsion value to be set by the regulating knob aligned to the position of an indication mark on the handle. Thus, the value of the torsion of a screwdriver can conveniently be regulated via the graduations and numbers on the regulating knob. Furthermore, the front micro-adjusting rod can carry out micro-adjustment of torsion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2015
    Inventor: Jin Tsai Lai
  • Patent number: 8968564
    Abstract: A filter turning mechanism is attached to an engine in proximity to a filter (such as an oil filter), and may be used to install or remove a filter by turning the filter. The filter turning mechanism contacts a filter, and rotates the filter when the filter turning mechanism is rotated with a tool. One implementation of the filter turning mechanism includes an inner drive gear and a filter drive mechanism. The inner drive gear normally spins freely within the filter drive mechanism, but when pushed into the filter drive mechanism with a suitable tool such as a ratchet extension, the inner drive gear engages the filter drive mechanism, thereby causing rotation of the inner drive gear to rotate the filter drive mechanism as well, which in turn rotates the filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: HB Spider, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher M. Huff
  • Patent number: 8960058
    Abstract: A torque adjustment device for a screwdriver includes a tube located in the handle of the screwdriver and has an adjusting member connected to the first end thereof, a cap is connected to the second end of the tube. A first block and a second block are connected with each other by engagement of the teeth on the two blocks. A spring is biased between the first block and the adjusting member. A link is connected to the cap which pushes a pushing member to move the second block toward the first block when using an assistance tool to rotate the cap. The first block is able to move toward the second block by rotating the adjusting member so as to change the matching force between the teeth of the blocks. The cap has digits and marks to acknowledge the user the setting value of the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Inventor: Jin Tsai Lai
  • Publication number: 20140245869
    Abstract: A driving apparatus is used for simultaneously tensioning the jackbolts of a multi-jackbolt tensioner and includes a central drive gear mounted for rotation along a central drive gear axis. An annular array of spindles surrounds the central drive gear, each spindle independently mounted for rotation, with one spindle associated with one of the jackbolts. A socket on one spindle end is configured to receive one of the jackbolts. A spindle gear surrounds each spindle and is configured to rotate the spindle. The spindle gear is meshed with the central drive gear to be rotated by the central drive gear, wherein at least one spindle gear is offset along the central drive gear axis from at least another spindle gear. A slip clutch is positioned radially between each spindle gear and the associated spindle, wherein rotation of the jackbolts is up to a torque setting of the slip clutch during tensioning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventor: David Rice
  • Patent number: 8763500
    Abstract: A multi-scale mechanism comprising a rotatable driving shaft; a first scale mounted along the axis of said rotatable driving shaft, said scale including first and second sets of coarse scale divisions for indicating a coarse range of magnitude in two different systems of units as a function of the position of said first scale with respect to said rotatable driving shaft; a second scale for indicating a fine scale range of magnitude in one of said systems of units; a third scale for indicating a fine scale range of magnitude in the other of said systems of units; said third scale operatively connected to said rotatable driving shaft; and a gear assembly coupled to said rotatable driving shaft and connected to said second scale and said third scale, said gear assembly having a predetermined gear ratio such that said second scale and said third scale are each caused to move at the same time but at a different rate that is a function of their respective system of units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Mountz, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley G. Mountz, Daniel K. Ohlendorf, Yi-Min Wu
  • Patent number: 8757035
    Abstract: A ratchet tool, including a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a handle coaxial to the shaft; a first gear immovably fixed to the shaft and disposed in the handle; a second gear rotatably and longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft, where the second gear engages the first gear to limit torque transfer from the handle to the shaft in a first direction and provides substantially zero torque transfer in a second direction; a first spring disposed between the second gear and the handle; a third gear rotatably and longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft, where the third gear engages the first gear to limit torque transfer from the handle to the shaft in the second direction and provides substantially zero torque transfer in the first direction; and a second spring disposed between the third gear and the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Symmetry Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Guillaume Kerboul, Stuart G. Weekes, James William Truscott
  • Publication number: 20140137710
    Abstract: A torque screwdriver contains: a main body; a driving head and a torque mechanism disposed in the main body and the driving head engages with the driving head; a grip bar installed on a top end of the main body and having two ends which are a long end and a short end so that a configuration of the grip bar and the main body is in a T shape; an insertion hole defined in a top face of the grip bar, wherein a center of the insertion hole is located at the central axis of the torque mechanism. Thereby, the torque screwdriver is operated in a narrow space easily. A force rod can be inserted into the insertion hole, and a forcing position of the force rod for driving the torque screwdriver is identical to a center of the torque mechanism, thus acquiring a precise torque value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching HSIEH
  • Patent number: 8708060
    Abstract: A synchronization mechanism of a clutch mechanism includes a drive side contact member and a driven side contact member provided on a drive side clutch member and a driven side clutch member of a clutch mechanism at positions radially inwardly of a drive side clutch portion and a driven side clutch portion, respectively. The driven side contact member does not contact the drive side contact member when the driven side clutch member is in a disengaging position. As the driven side clutch member moves from the disengaging position to an engaging position, the driven side contact member contacts the drive side contact member, so that the rotation of the drive side clutch member is transmitted to the driven side clutch member through frictional contact between the driven side contact member and the drive side contact member before the driven side clutch member reaches the engaging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Makita Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Tsuge
  • Publication number: 20140083261
    Abstract: A tool is configured to receive a locknut of a coaxial cable. The tool includes a sleeve provided with a first inner hole therein; a first block in the first inner hole, wherein the first block has a gradually small cross-sectional area from top to bottom in an axis of the first inner hole; a second block in the first inner hole, wherein the second block has a gradually small cross-sectional area from top to bottom in the axis of the first inner hole; and a third block in the first inner hole, wherein the third block has a gradually small cross-sectional area from bottom to top in the axis of the first inner hole, wherein the third block is configured to be between the first and second blocks, wherein the third block has a first surface configured to contact the first block and a second surface configured to contact the second block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: EZCONN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Cheng-Hui Wang
  • Publication number: 20140068909
    Abstract: A torque wrench includes a hollow body, a clutch mechanism, a force-applying member, and at least one driving arm. The clutch mechanism is mounted in the hollow body. The force-applying member is pivotally mounted in the hollow body and has a first end against the clutch mechanism. The force-applying member also has a second end for the driving arm coaxially mounted at. Thus, the torque wrench can take the overall length of the force-applying member and the driving arm as a first moment arm, and the torque wrench is easy to storage due to the detachable driving arm. In addition, the torque wrench can be increased in length by mounting a driving arm which is a plurality of rods detachably assembled with each other. A method of operating the torque wrench includes mounting the clutch mechanism and the force-applying member in the hollow body, and mounting the driving arm at the second end of the force-applying member. The torque wrench can be increased in length by mounting a plurality of the driving arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching HSIEH
  • Publication number: 20140033881
    Abstract: Disclosed is a spanner tool for mounting or dismounting components, which comprises a control piece (2), a connecting piece (1) and a rotating piece (3). The connecting piece (1) is hinged with one end of the control piece (2) and one end of the rotating piece (3) respectively. An angle ? formed between the control piece (2) and the connecting piece (1) is less than an angle ? formed between the rotating piece (3) and the connecting piece (1) when the control piece (2) and the rotating piece (3) respectively rotate to limit positions at different sides of the connecting piece (1). The spanner tool is practical and reliable. During use, a user does not need to swing his/her arm and only needs to rotate his/her wrist to operate the spanner tool, so the spanner tool is convenient and rapid-in-use. The spanner tool can be folded for portability when not in use. Additionally, locking tightness of the tool can be adjusted by adjusting a nut.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Dahon Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: David Tak-Wei Hon, Jingfeng Li, Yiping Mo, Guangji Deng
  • Patent number: 8641536
    Abstract: A tool holder for use with a power tool includes an input shaft with a rear portion couplable to a power tool, and an output shaft with a front portion couplable to a tool bit. A clutch assembly releasably non-rotationally couples a front portion of the input shaft to a rear portion of the output shaft, and includes a recess in the front portion of the input shaft or the rear portion of the output shaft, an aperture in the other of the front portion of the input shaft or the rear portion of the output shaft, a roller received in the aperture, and a spring that biases the roller radially inwardly toward the recess. The spring enables release of the roller radially outwardly from the recess when a predetermined torque threshold is exceeded, such that torque is not transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Alland Santamarina, Vincent Wensheng Zou, Michael Peters
  • Patent number: 8590434
    Abstract: A hand tool torsion adjustment structure includes a main mechanism, a torsion release mechanism and a micro-adjustment mechanism. The main mechanism is composed of a working rod and a tool handle while the torsion release mechanism is provided with a first engage tooth, a second engage tooth and a spring, and the micro-adjustment mechanism consists of a resisting member, an interacting member and at least one adjusting pinion. The torsion value of the hand tool can quickly be adjusted through the main mechanism and the torsion release mechanism, and the torsion preset value of the hand tool can precisely be fine-adjusted via the micro-adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Inventor: Jin-Tsai Lai
  • Publication number: 20130291693
    Abstract: A torque control wrench assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a handle, a ratchet unit having a first ratchet for rotating in engagement with the handle and a second ratchet engaged with the first ratchet, for transferring rotational force applied from the first ratchet, a transmission unit engaged with the second ratchet, for changing the rotational force transferred from the second ratchet, a socket unit having one end engaged with the transmission unit and the other end engaged with a wheel nut, for tightening or loosening the wheel nut by receiving the rotational force, a housing opened at both ends, and a torque control unit into which the first ratchet is inserted and which is engaged with the housing, covering an opened end of the housing, for controlling the rotational force applied to the socket unit by pressing the first ratchet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: SEWON PM TECH. CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Namsuk KIM
  • Patent number: 8540580
    Abstract: A tool holder for use with a power tool includes an input shaft with a rear portion couplable to a power tool, and an output shaft with a front portion couplable to a tool bit. A clutch assembly releasably non-rotationally couples a front portion of the input shaft to a rear portion of the output shaft, and includes a recess in the front portion of the input shaft or the rear portion of the output shaft, an aperture in the other of the front portion of the input shaft or the rear portion of the output shaft, a roller received in the aperture, and a spring that biases the roller radially inwardly toward the recess. The spring enables release of the roller radially outwardly from the recess when a predetermined torque threshold is exceeded, such that torque is not transmitted from the input shaft to the output shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventors: Aland Santamarina, Wensheng Zou, Michael Peters
  • Patent number: 8516927
    Abstract: A socket wrench includes a handle having a housing and a grip portion, a drive shank having a ratchet wheel mounted in the housing, two pawl members engaged with the ratchet wheel, a switching member located between the pawl members, two elastic members each biased between the housing and the respective pawl member, a control knob connected with the switching member, a driven arm having a mounting sleeve and an arcuate mounting slot, a connecting plate provided on the handle, and two driving arms provided on the connecting plate and received in the mounting slot. When in use, one of the driving arms drives the driven arm by a leverage to drive the drive shank to rotate a socket so as to operate a workpiece in an energy-saving manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Inventors: Yen-Hui Wang, Sin-Heng Wang, Chin-He Wang
  • Publication number: 20130205569
    Abstract: A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities. The shaft may include a lumen extending there through, and through which a variety of devices and materials may be delivered to a workpiece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson
  • Publication number: 20130199345
    Abstract: A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Inventors: John Nino, David Ivinson
  • Patent number: 8495935
    Abstract: A multi-scale mechanism comprising a rotatable driving shaft; a first scale mounted along the axis of said rotatable driving shaft, said scale including first and second sets of coarse scale divisions for indicating a coarse range of magnitude in two different systems of units as a function of the position of said first scale with respect to said rotatable driving shaft; a second scale for indicating a fine scale range of magnitude in one of said systems of units; a third scale for indicating a fine scale range of magnitude in the other of said systems of units; said third scale operatively connected to said rotatable driving shaft; and a gear assembly connected between said second scale and said third scale having a predetermined gear ratio such that said second scale is caused to move at a different rate than said third scale.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Mountz, Inc.
    Inventors: Bradley G. Mountz, Daniel Ohlendorf, Yi-Min Wu
  • Publication number: 20130152746
    Abstract: A ratchet tool, including a shaft defining a longitudinal axis; a handle coaxial to the shaft; a first gear immovably fixed to the shaft and disposed in the handle; a second gear rotatably and longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft, where the second gear engages the first gear to limit torque transfer from the handle to the shaft in a first direction and provides substantially zero torque transfer in a second direction; a first spring disposed between the second gear and the handle; a third gear rotatably and longitudinally movable with respect to the shaft, where the third gear engages the first gear to limit torque transfer from the handle to the shaft in the second direction and provides substantially zero torque transfer in the first direction; and a second spring disposed between the third gear and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Guillaume KERBOUL, Stuart G. WEEKES, James William TRUSCOTT
  • Patent number: 8443702
    Abstract: To make improvements in torque wrenches with a torque limiter that uses a cam mechanism and to provide a torque wrench that realizes more stable operation and is capable of highly precise tightening. In a torque wrench with a torque limiter that uses a cam mechanism, a solid columnar roller member 14 is engaged with a cam part 7 of a cam shaft 8 such that it is rotatably supported by a roller support lever member 12 mounted in a head portion 2 such as to be rotatable around a support shaft 16 and such that it is pressed against the cam part 7 by a spring force transmitting rod 18 biased by a torque setting spring. The roller support lever member 12 is configured such that the distance r2 from the support shaft 16 to a point of application of force of the spring force transmitting rod 18 is longer than the distance r1 from the support shaft 16 to the roller member 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Tohnichi Mfg. Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyo Kan, Shozo Aikawa, Tomohiro Ogata, Naoya Masuda, Hiroshi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8413549
    Abstract: A revolving screwdriver with ratchet structure includes a handle, a pushing rod, and a sliding member. The sliding member has a receiving space and a holding chamber defined therein. A revolving cylinder is received in the holding chamber. The receiving space receives at least one ratchet wheel, two rotators, a limiting member, a base, and an adjuster. The at least one ratchet wheel engages with a driving shaft. The rotators selectively engage with the at least one ratchet wheel. The limiting member locates between the rotators and has a protrusion formed thereon. A base has a first guiding slot defined therein. The adjuster has a driving hole defined therein. The protrusion passes through the first guiding slot and the driving hole for being driven by the adjuster and moving along the first guiding slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Inventor: Yi Jhen Chen
  • Patent number: 8371193
    Abstract: An adjustable torque limiting device includes a shank unit composed of first and second shanks coaxially and rotatably connected to each other, a carrier unit mounted between the shanks and having axially facing bearing regions and radially facing detent regions which cooperatively define cavities for receiving detent bodies, respectively, so as to transmit a straining force emanating from the detent regions to the detent bodies, a force transmitting member movably mounted on the shank unit and frictionally engaged with the detent bodies, an adjusting assembly turnable to axially move the force-counteracting member, and a compressible biasing member disposed between the force-counteracting member and the adjusting assembly to exert a preloaded force against the straining force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Chin-Tan Huang
  • Patent number: 8365641
    Abstract: A torque wrench comprising a shaft, a shaft cam configured to rotate with the shaft around the longitudinal axis, a groove defined in the shaft cam, a ramp positioned within the groove at a position below the groove upper surface, an outer cam comprising an engaging member configured to selectively contact a ramp upper surface or groove upper surface. The wrench also comprises a spring to apply a downward force on the outer cam and a void defined in the groove between the ramp and a side wall of the groove to allow the engaging member to escape the groove when not contrained by the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Inventor: Terry Daglow
  • Patent number: 8359955
    Abstract: A torque socket has an outer cylinder having markings on an outer surface thereof. A receptacle including a male ratchet member at one distal end, and a plurality of cavities and a central channel at an opposite end. A plurality of balls each adapted to fit within a respective cavity of the receptacle. A spring seat including a release pad, a central pin extending axially therefrom from one end and adapted to fit within the central channel of the receptacle, thereby holding the balls within the cavities, and a disk at an opposite end. A coiled spring received upon the spring seat. A cylinder head having a female ratchet portion, and is adapted to compress the coiled spring and releasably and adjustably attach to an inside surface of the outer cylinder, thereby holding the receptacle, the balls, and the spring seat together and between the outer cylinder and the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Inventor: Francois Deneault
  • Patent number: 8347763
    Abstract: A wrench with a quick rotatable driving head includes a handle, a driving head and a quick-disengaging unit. The quick-disengaging unit is composed of a fixing member secured with the driving head, an operating member inserted through the handle and fitted around the fixing member, and a restraining element transversely provided between the fixing member and the operating member and the handle. The handle and the driving head can be separated by the quick-disengaging unit so that the driving head, with the quick-disengaging unit acting as a pivot, can quickly screw or unscrew a thread locking member, and the operating member can be restrictedly positioned on the fixing member by the restraining element, able to prevent the handle and the driving head from separating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: Chin-Hui Chu
  • Publication number: 20120210832
    Abstract: A hand tool torsion adjustment structure includes a main mechanism, a torsion release mechanism and a micro-adjustment mechanism. The main mechanism is composed of a working rod and a tool handle while the torsion release mechanism is provided with a first engage tooth, a second engage tooth and a spring, and the micro-adjustment mechanism consists of a resisting member, an interacting member and at least one adjusting pinion. The torsion value of the hand tool can quickly be adjusted through the main mechanism and the torsion release mechanism, and the torsion preset value of the hand tool can precisely be fine-adjusted via the micro-adjustment mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Jin-Tsai LAI
  • Patent number: 8231569
    Abstract: A catheter includes a handle that advantageously limits the amount of torque that can be imparted to the body of the catheter. This advantageously reduces the likelihood of catheter failure, damage to tissue, or damage to medical devices introduced into the vasculature via the catheter. The catheter handle includes a grip portion that the practitioner manipulates in order to impart a torque and a torque transmitting portion operably coupled thereto that transmits the torque to the catheter body. A torque limiting mechanism decouples the torque transmitting portion from the grip portion, the body, and/or any pull wires when the torque imparted to the grip portion exceeds a torque threshold, thereby preventing excessive torques from being transmitted to the catheter body and/or pull wires. A practitioner may be able to adjust the torque threshold and may be able to disable the torque limiting mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: St. Jude Medical, Atrial Fibrillation Division, Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Maitre Grasse, Anthony D. Hill, Don Curtis Deno
  • Publication number: 20120096997
    Abstract: An apparatus for tightening a threaded fastener of the kind having: a shank with an axial bore; a gauge pin positioned in the bore and connected to the shank, a part of the gauge pin either protruding from, flush with, or recessed from an end face of the fastener; and an indicating member rotatably supported on the either protruding from, flush with, or recessed from part of the gauge pin, the indicating member being arranged such that it is free to rotate when the fastener is unstressed but when the fastener is subjected to a predetermined tensile load the indicating member is held against rotation, wherein the fastener has either a head connected to an end of the shank adjacent the indicating member or, alternatively, has a nut which is threadedly engageable with an end of the shank adjacent the indicating member; the apparatus including: a receiving member, rotatably supported in the apparatus, for receiving the head connected to or for receiving a nut engageable with the shank; a device for effecting rota
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Applicants: JAMES WALKER ROTABOLT LIMITED, HYTORC DIVISION UNEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rod Corbett, Michael Jones, John J Junkers, Peter Koppenhoefer
  • Patent number: 8161849
    Abstract: An adjustable torque limiter that can be coupled between a high speed driver and the socket that rotates a mechanical fastener. When a preset torque level is reached, the torque limiter disengages the rotational drive force from the bit. The adjustability of the torque limitation is accomplished by varying the amount of spring force by which a thrust plate (coupled to the high speed driver) is forced against a set of steel balls residing in slots of a radial torque plate and in a set of paths formed in a concavity of an upper torque body (coupled to the driven socket engaging stud). When a certain preset torque is transmitted from the driver to the socket, the steel balls traverse outward along the separate arced ramp radial paths therein the upper torque body until the balls enter an annular race that allows the thrust plate to go into a disengaged or free wheel mode from the upper torque body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Inventor: Michael Curt Walter Stark
  • Publication number: 20110283844
    Abstract: A torque-adjusting machine includes a securing fixture, a torque-detecting mechanism, a driving device and an adjusting mechanism. The securing fixture is capable of retaining a first bracket of a hinge. The driving device is capable of retaining a second bracket of the hinge. The torque-detecting mechanism is connected to the securing fixture and capable of detecting torque of the hinge through rotating the first bracket of the hinge relative to the second bracket of the hinge. The adjusting mechanism includes an adjusting pole. The adjusting pole is capable of moving from a first position, where the adjusting pole is capable of engaging with the hinge and adjusting the torque of the hinge by rotation, to a second position, where the adjusting pole is capable of being disengaged from the hinge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: November 24, 2011
    Applicants: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD., HONG FU JIN PRECISION INDUSTRY (ShenZhen) CO., LTD.
    Inventors: TENG-TSUNG HUANG, GUO-JUN YU, YONG-BING HU, ZHAN SHANG
  • Patent number: 8042434
    Abstract: A safety torque intensifying tool has a housing, a torque intensifying unit providing at least two modes of operation including a first mode in which the tool operates with a high speed and a low torque and a second mode in which the tool operates with a low speed and a high torque, a grip to be held by a tool operator, an additional element acting as a handle for better gripping in the first mode in which the tool operates with the high speed and low torque and also as a reaction arm to abut against a stationary object to stop the housing from turning in the second mode when the tool operates with the low speed and the high torque, and a switching unit for switching the tool between the first and second modes and configured so that when the operator does not act on the switching unit the tool is in the second mode of operation with the low speed and the high torque, and when the switching unit is switched by the operator while the additional element acts as a handle, the tool is switched to the first mode of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Inventor: John K. Junkers
  • Patent number: 8002098
    Abstract: A torque responsive release clutch intended for a power nutrunner and comprises a driving clutch half (11) and a driven clutch half (10) coupled to each other for torque transfer by means of axially directed teeth (16, 17), wherein one of the clutch halves is axially movable between an engagement position and a release position against the action of a bias spring (13). Each one of the teeth (16) of one of the clutch halves (10) has a substantially prismatic shape and extends axially from a base portion (19) to a top portion (20) and comprises two surfaces (22, 23) which form between them a ridge (25). The base portion (19) of the tooth (16) has a radial extent from an inner diameter (d1 to an outer diameter (d2), and the ridge (25) extends from the inner diameter (d1 at the base portion (19) to the outer diameter (d2) at the top portion (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Tools AB
    Inventor: Erik Roland Rahm
  • Patent number: 7926390
    Abstract: A driving tool includes a shank, a sleeve, and a return spring disposed therebetween. The shank has a ball recess with a ball received therein. The shank has an interior interface adapted for receiving a tool bit. The ball recess substantially extends into the interior interface. The sleeve mounts on the shank to slide between limits. The sleeve has a first interior ball release recess followed by an interior ball lock surface and then a second interior ball release recess. The release recesses and surface are oriented with respect to the ball recess so as to permit selective displacement of the same over the ball recess to unlock the ball with movement in either direction. A return spring is disposed between the shank and the sleeve. The spring has a first and second end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Greatbatch Ltd.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Bennett
  • Publication number: 20110000347
    Abstract: An adjustable torque limiter that can be coupled between a high speed driver and the socket that rotates a mechanical fastener. When a preset torque level is reached, the torque limiter disengages the rotational drive force from the bit. The adjustability of the torque limitation is accomplished by varying the amount of spring force by which a thrust plate (coupled to the high speed driver) is forced against a set of steel balls residing in slots of a radial torque plate and in a set of paths formed in a concavity of an upper torque body (coupled to the driven socket engaging stud). When a certain preset torque is transmitted from the driver to the socket, the steel balls traverse outward along the separate arced ramp radial paths therein the upper torque body until the balls enter an annular race that allows the thrust plate to go into a disengaged or free wheel mode from the upper torque body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Curt Walter Stark
  • Patent number: 7793572
    Abstract: An attachment for a power tool has a tool receptacle for receiving a tool bit, a locking unit which is detachably mountable on a housing of a power tool, an output shaft, which is connectable to a drive shaft of the power tool in a manner fixed against relative rotation, and a device for adjusting the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Daniel Hirt, Juergen Gairing