Bending Beam Type Patents (Class 73/862.26)
  • Patent number: 11555750
    Abstract: A force transducer is disclosed, which is arranged in such a way that, when a force is applied to the force transducer, two output signals from the force transducer are generated, which output signals are representative of the force components in a first plane and in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane, respectively, whereas force components in a third plane perpendicular to the first plane and the second plane do not affect the output signals from the force transducer. Furthermore, a measuring device is disclosed, comprising a handle comprising such a force transducer and a base unit, to which the handle is attached. Even further, a system for measuring muscle stiffness is disclosed, comprising a measuring unit and a processing unit, the measuring unit comprising such a measuring device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignees: Københavns Universitet, Movotec A/S
    Inventors: Johnny Erik Westergaard, Peder Esben Bilde, Jens Bo Nielsen
  • Patent number: 9272397
    Abstract: A transportable screwing tool configured to mount and/or dismount screws into and/or out of a work piece includes an electric motor operable by electrical energy and a switching element configured to activate and/or deactivate the electric motor. The screwing tool further includes a drive train arranged inside a housing of the screwing tool. The drive train is mounted pivotably about an axis of rotation arranged essentially perpendicularly to the drive train. A method for activating and/or deactivating the electric motor includes moving at least one element of the switching element for the purpose of activating the electric motor out of a position of nonuse into a position of use when the drive train is moved in rotation about the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Goetz, Achim Kugler
  • Patent number: 8720283
    Abstract: The invention provides a variable torque-rate test joint for the performance testing of rotary tools for threaded fasteners. In a typical test routine a nut is repeatedly tightened by the tool and after each tightening the nut must be released and run back to its start position. The invention provides a means for rapidly releasing the pressure on the tightened nut so that it can be run back quickly and easily. The variable joint is supported by a reaction surface that is the operative face of a piston and cylinder assembly seated on a shoulder fast to a shank of the threaded fastener. A hydraulic control is provided for the piston and cylinder assembly including means for hydraulically extending the piston from the cylinder to a fixed maximum extension which defines a test position of the reaction surface, and means for hydraulically retracting the piston back into the cylinder to remove the pressure from the nut at the end of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Crane Electronics Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter William Everitt, John Edward Burton
  • Patent number: 8234936
    Abstract: A torque wrench having ease of operation compatible with improved accuracy of measurement. The torque wrench includes a tightening portion, a housing having a front side cover part and a back side grip part and a shaft-like strain body that is contained inside the housing. First distortion sensors and second distortion sensors are arranged on the strain body at spaced points in the axial direction of the strain body for measuring an amount of distortion of the strain body. A microprocessor chip has functions including computation of a tightening torque which is corrected for errors due to changes in a point of effort where a tightening force is applied by a user. The correction is based on the detection result of the first distortion sensors and the second distortion sensors. An output portion outputs the corrected tightening torque measurement value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Hosiden Corporation, Kyoto Tool Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shogo Nakata, Tadashi Hanai, Kouji Fujita, Masahiko Umekawa, Hiroshi Uchida
  • Patent number: 7503228
    Abstract: An electronic torque spanner includes a driving portion having a driving head for engaging a screwing object, and having a connecting segment, and a handle having a connecting space defined by the inner peripheral surface at the opening end of the handle. The connecting segment is engaged with the connecting space. A slot is formed in the connecting segment and a bottom surface defined at the end of the connecting segment. A strain gauge is installed in the bottom surface and crossed over the slot for measuring the torque in the operation of the spanner. A display unit is installed in the handle and electrically connected to the strain gauge for setting, displaying, and warning with signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7469602
    Abstract: A torque wrench for engaging a workpiece includes a wrench body having a first end and a second end. A wrench head is disposed on the first end of the wrench body and is configured to engage the workpiece. A display device is carried by the wrench body and includes a housing, a display, and an input device for inputting a preset torque value. A torque sensor is carried by the wrench head and is electrically connected to the display device. A detent extends outwardly from one of the wrench body, the wrench head, and the user interface and a plurality of recesses is formed in another of the wrench body, the wrench head, and the user interface, each of the recesses being configured to releasably receive the detent. The display device is rotatable relative to the wrench head so that the detent is received by one of the recesses for retaining the display device in a desired angular position with regard to the wrench head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Awad Aly Gharib, Steve Booher, Bruce Dexter
  • Patent number: 7448284
    Abstract: A spanner with a strain alarm function comprises a spanner body having at least one driving head at one end thereof; a strain gauge installed at the spanner body; a display installed in the spanner body electrically connected to the strain gauge; an alarm unit installed in the display; when a spanner body drives an object to be tightened and a twisting force applied to the object has achieved to a predetermined value, the alarm will emit alert signal to users so as to inform the user that the object to be tightened has achieved to a predetermined position. The alarm unit is one of a light emitting body and a buzzer. The predetermined value is a summation of a desired value for tightening the object and an added value under the consideration of a retuning level of the object as the spanner is released from the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7392711
    Abstract: An insertable strain gauge spanner which comprises a spanner body having a rod body and a driving head insertable into the rod body; the rod body having a handle and an inserting opening at one end thereof; the inserting opening can be received the driving head; the rod body being installed with a strain gauge; a lower end of the rod body being formed as an inserting opening; the inserting opening being in contact with the strain gauge; thereby the twisting force from the driving head can be transferred to a sensing end of the strain gauge; the twisting force being displayed in a window of the strain gauge; and the driving head having an inserting end with a shape corresponding to that of the inserting opening; and the orientation of the driving head with respect to the rod body is adjustable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7392712
    Abstract: An electronic torsional tool includes a main body, and a strain gauge mounted in the main body. The main body is provided with an opening to enhance flexibility of the main body and to increase deformation of the strain gauge. The opening is extended through the handle portion and the drive portion of the main body, thereby enhancing deformation of the main body, and thereby increasing deformation (or distortion) of the strain gauge, so as to detect and obtain the torsion values exactly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7380472
    Abstract: A hand tool includes a handle and a function head is connected to an end of the handle. A first recess and a second recess are respectively defined in two opposite sides of the handle, and a strain transducer is engaged with the first recess. A display member and a processing unit are connected to the handle, and the strain transducer is electrically connected with the processing unit. A hole is defined through the handle and located between the first and second recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Patent number: 7370539
    Abstract: An electronic torque wrench for engaging a workpiece includes a wrench body having a first end and a second end. A wrench head is disposed on the first end of the wrench body and is configured to engage the workpiece. A grip handle is disposed on the second end of the wrench head. A user interface is carried by the wrench body and includes a housing, a digital display, and an input device for inputting a preset torque value. A torque sensing element is carried by the wrench head and is electrically connected to the display device. A detent extends outwardly from one of the wrench body, the wrench head, and the user interface and a plurality of recesses is formed in another of the wrench body, the wrench head, and the user interface, each of the recesses being configured to releasably receive the detent. The display device is rotatable relative to the wrench head so that the detent is received by one of the recesses for retaining the display device in a desired angular position with regard to the wrench head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Easco Hand Tools, Inc.
    Inventors: Awad Aly Gharib, Steve Booher, Bruce Dexter
  • Patent number: 7281438
    Abstract: A torque measuring apparatus is described that comprises a chassis, a reversible electrical motor having a motor housing and a rotatable output shaft projecting from one end of said motor housing, motor mounting means mounting said motor housing for rotation relative to said chassis, means for connecting said motor output shaft to a rotatable component of a device to be tested, whereby energization of said motor will cause said output shaft to rotate and apply a torque to said rotatable component and the resistance to rotation offered by said rotatable component will result in a reactionary torque that causes said motor housing to rotate relative to said chassis, means responsive to rotation of said motor housing for generating a signal representative of said reactionary torque, and means for converting that signal into a measure of the torque applied by said motor output shaft to said rotatable component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Vibrac Corporation
    Inventor: Robert F. Searle
  • Patent number: 7222544
    Abstract: An electronic torque-tool tester (10) designed to verify that various mechanical, electrical and pneumatic torque tools such as a torque wrench, are correctly calibrated. The tester (10) includes a housing (50) that is bordered by a horizontal mounting plate (14) and a vertical mounting plate (36). From the front of the housing (50) extends a torque transducer (132) that converts a rotational mechanical force produced by the torque wrench, into a corresponding electrical signal (11) that is converted by an electronics circuit (130) into a corresponding display signal (17). The display signal (17) operates a digital display unit (146) from where the applied torque in inch/pounds or foot/pounds can be viewed. The digital display unit (146) is attached to an articulated display assembly (108) that can be rotated through a 90 to 350-degree arc and that allows the digital display unit (146) to also be rotated through a 90 to 350-degree arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Bradley G. Jenkins
  • Patent number: 7044003
    Abstract: A torque measuring device for electric motors comprising a stator and a rotor is disclosed in which a holding apparatus to hold the stator of a test electric motor is provided, a drive apparatus for the rotor is provided and a torque sensor that is coupled to the drive apparatus is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Minebea Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hermann Flammer, Hubert Hauser, Norbert Irmer, Guido Schmid