Axis Of Connection Coaxial To Rotational Axis Of Work Patents (Class 81/480)
  • Patent number: 11298807
    Abstract: A ratcheting box torque wrench is provided. The wrench includes a head and a handle connected to the head. The head has a slipping torque limiter that applies torque to a fastener in a first direction (T) up to a torque limit before slipping in the first direction (T) and ratchets in a second direction (R).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: Hubbell Incorporated
    Inventors: Zaheer Firoz Poonawalla, Seydou Diop, Adrian Beau Candelaria
  • Patent number: 10906578
    Abstract: A power actuator assembly for a steering column assembly is provided. The power actuator assembly include an electric motor. Also included is a leadscrew. Further included is a gear arrangement operatively coupled to the electric motor, the gear arrangement driving rotation of the leadscrew. Yet further included is a nut threaded to the leadscrew, rotation of the leadscrew actuating linear motion of the nut relative to the leadscrew, the nut operatively coupled to a moveable portion of the steering column assembly to actuate motion of the moveable portion. Also included is a leadscrew housing, the leadscrew extending axially through the leadscrew housing. Further included is a helical bushing disposed between a radially inner surface of the leadscrew housing and a radially outer surface of the leadscrew.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Steering Solutions IP Holding Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Rouleau, Scott A. Stinebring, Harmony J. Hudnall
  • Patent number: 10751862
    Abstract: Wrenches, apparatus, devices and methods of using a T handles with a torque wrench with adjustable torque setting controls having an automated slip function for applications such as for motorcycles, automotive, machinery and the like. The wrench allows for a user to pull up a lock feature which allows the user to selectively set a torque value by rotating the handle. Once a torque setting is made, the lock is pushed down and the wrench can be used to tighten fasteners, such as bolts, nuts, and the like. While tightening, the fastener, the wrench goes into a slip function when the setting has been reached, so that the fasteners, cannot be stripped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Inventors: Dallas G. Edmisten, Robert C. Edmisten
  • Patent number: 10730168
    Abstract: A ratchet wrench comprises a handle defining a cavity including a plurality of teeth on an inner periphery thereof, a wheel, a biasing spring ring, and at least one tooth pawl mounted in recesses formed on the outer periphery of the wheel. The wheel is rotatably mounted inside the cavity and the pawls are biased by the spring ring to engage the plurality of teeth on the inner periphery of the cavity when rotated in a first direction, and to slide over the teeth when rotated in a direction opposite the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: IDEAL Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brenton Michael Solar, Mark Robert Stanley
  • Patent number: 9573256
    Abstract: A torque screwdriver includes: a main body having a transverse handle section and a vertical tubular section, the handle section being formed with an internal passage having two cavities respectively formed on two sides of the tubular section; the tubular section being formed with an internal axial space; an operation stem, several ratchets and several recesses being disposed at a top end of the operation stem, each ratchet having a long tooth face and a short tooth face, the long tooth face having a slope smaller than a slope of the short tooth face; the operation stem being mounted in the main body; two elastic abutment assemblies respectively mounted in the two cavities to elastically press two abutment members to elastically contact the operation stem; and at least two support rings disposed between the operation stem and the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: KABO TOOL COMPANY
    Inventor: Chih-Ching Hsieh
  • Publication number: 20150013509
    Abstract: A screwdriver includes a screw rod including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end. The screwdriver defines a screw slot on an external portion adjacent to the second end. The screwdriver further includes a screwdriver bit fixed to the first end of the screw rod, a resisting portion fixed to the second end of the screw rod, a handle placed over a portion of the screw rod adjacent to the second end. A movable element fixed to an inside wall of the handle and tightly closed to an inside surface of the screw slot, and an elastic element placed over the screw rod between the first end and the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2014
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: LI-CHIN LU, JIAN-HUA XIANG, XUE MOU
  • Publication number: 20140373691
    Abstract: A bidirectional torque wrench includes a main body pivotally fixed thereon with an operating rod, and at least two resisting units are equiangularly and symmetrically assembled at the circumferential side of the operating rod. By so designing, in a process of operating the bidirectional torque wrench, the lateral forces acting on the resisting units are in opposite direction and able to be offset mutually to prevent the resisting units from shifting eccentrically for stabilizing torsion output, able to lower the torque force received by one single resisting unit and greatly enhance the maximum torsion value that the bidirectional torque wrench can output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Inventor: Tien-Lung LIN
  • Publication number: 20140020520
    Abstract: A torque multiplier apparatus includes an input pinion, a geared torque multiplier mechanism, and an input retainer. The input pinion and the input retainer include first and second identical connectors so that a detent stud can be positioned in either one of the first and second connectors, allowing the torque multiplier to be used for increased torque (and reduced speed) or for increased speed (and lesser torque). A related method includes engaging the driving tool with the first connector and the socket with the second connector to provide an increased torque on a socket to break loose a fastener, and flipping the torque multiplier so that the driving tool engages the second connector and the socket engages the first connector to provide an increased speed of torsional rotation to more quickly remove the fastener from the shaft. The detent stud is torsionally shearable, thus preventing over-stressing and damaging the tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2013
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Inventor: Robert F. Cullison
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20120279365
    Abstract: A torque wrench assembly includes a handle, a socket housing coupled to the housing, and a socket rotatably coupled to the socket housing. The socket defines an opening extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end and having a fastener driving portion disposed at one of the first end and the second end of the socket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Lowell Corporation
    Inventors: David Cummings, Derek Silsby, Paul Carnes
  • Publication number: 20120174379
    Abstract: A torque driver has a driver arm with a first end and an opposite second end, a driver spindle attached at the first end of the driver arm, and a tangential force limiter attached at the second end of the driver arm and including a tangential force applicator for applying a force to rotate the driver spindle about an axis of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: Boris R. Teper
  • Publication number: 20110314976
    Abstract: Use of multiple-slope and/or multiple-offset mechanism or equivalent to address the issues with current mechanical clickers that have single-slope spring mechanism. The varying-slope can be a continuously varying-slope non-linear spring, or a combination of discretely varying multiple-slope springs. This invention is useful for clicker type torque wrenches, clicker type torque screw drivers, beam type torque wrenches, beam type torque screw drivers and shock absorbers. The present invention is equally applicable to clickers that click in both the CW (clockwise) and CCW (counterclockwise) directions or clickers that click only in one direction. The invention is generally characterized by placing a non-linear spring or combination of springs in the tool body to achieve multiple slope operation rather than using one single slope spring. The multiple slope configuration is superior in performance by moving closer to the ideal case of 0% error in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Inventors: Muniswamappa Anjanappa, Si Li, Muneer Baig, Ashwini Anjanappa
  • Publication number: 20110277601
    Abstract: A torque wrench comprising a shaft with a longitudinal axis; wherein the shaft has a lower end and an upper end, the lower end being configured to engage a fastener. A shaft cam is configured to rotate with the shaft around the longitudinal axis. A groove is defined in the shaft cam, the groove comprising a groove upper surface. A ramp is positioned within the groove at a position below the groove upper surface, wherein the ramp comprises a ramp upper surface with a first lower point, a first upper point and a surface extending along a perimeter of the shaft cam between the first lower and first upper points at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis. The ramp upper surface is configured so that the first lower point is positioned in the direction opposite of the direction of the intended torque with respect to the first upper point. A housing surrounds the shaft and shaft cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2011
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Inventor: Terry Daglow
  • Patent number: 8051751
    Abstract: A lockable torque-limiting driver includes a body and a sleeve received in a sleeve chamber of the body and secured therein by recesses inside the body. The sleeve is provided with projecting edges on the outer wall to be respectively fitted in the recesses of the body, plural recessed grooves at the inner wall for fixing an upper cam, and female threads at the inner wall to be screwed with the male threads of a torque-limiting member, further disposed with plural positioning serrations at topside and a center chamber inside. The upper cam and a lower cam respectively have one-way serrations to be mutually engaged. The torque-limiting member is fixed with positioning projections to be actuated to move on the positioning serrations of the sleeve and give out sounds by which a user can know a torque limiting extent desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2011
    Assignee: Hern Juei Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ching-Shu Huang
  • Patent number: 7913594
    Abstract: A tool is provided for driving fasteners that includes a torque limiting mechanism therein. The torque limiting mechanism includes a first frictional engagement member disposed on the drive shaft for the tool that is engaged by one or more second frictional engagement members disposed on one or more sides of the first frictional member. The second frictional engagement members are biased into engagement with the first member by biasing members disposed within the handle that can be adjusted in order to provide more or less of a biasing force to control the frictional engagement of the second member with the first member and thereby control the torque limiting function of the torque limiting mechanism. In addition, a drive shaft is also engaged with a ratcheting mechanism that enables the tool to drive a fastener into a suitable substrate in only a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Gauthier, Steven S. Landowski
  • Publication number: 20110011220
    Abstract: A lockable torque-limiting driver includes a body and a sleeve received in a sleeve chamber of the body and secured therein by recesses inside the body. The sleeve is provided with projecting edges on the outer wall to be respectively fitted in the recesses of the body, plural recessed grooves at the inner wall for fixing an upper cam, and female threads at the inner wall to be screwed with the male threads of a torque-limiting member, further disposed with plural positioning serrations at topside and a center chamber inside. The upper cam and a lower cam respectively have one-way serrations to be mutually engaged. The torque-limiting member is fixed with positioning projections to be actuated to move on the positioning serrations of the sleeve and give out sounds by which a user can know a torque limiting extent desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Applicant: HERN JUEI CO., LTD
    Inventor: CHING-SHU HUANG
  • Patent number: 7665391
    Abstract: A multi-bit screwdriver comprises a housing with a bit chuck at the front end and bit assemblies retained within the housing. Each bit assembly has a tool bit at a front end and a contact surface at a back end. An actuator extends from each bit assembly for operative engagement by a user, for movement of the actuator and bit assembly between a forwardly extended in-use configuration whereat the bit assembly is positioned such that the tool bit extends outwardly from the housing, and the contact surface of the bit assembly is disposed in longitudinal force transmitting engagement against a forward facing abutment surface to preclude rearward movement of the bit assembly due to substantially longitudinally directed forces transmitted from the tool bit, and a retracted configuration whereat the contact surface of the bit assembly is removed in a lateral direction from the longitudinal force transmitting engagement with the forward facing abutment surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Dragonfire Group Holdings Limited Company
    Inventor: Fern Beauchamp
  • Publication number: 20090255386
    Abstract: A torque socket essentially comprises an inner socket, and an outer socket. Besides a function of torque value setting and adjustment, the torque socket utilizes a ratchet structure design to produce a sound to warn the user, when the torque applied by the torque socket has reached a predetermined value, allowing the user to know the torque applied to the fastener by the torque wrench has reached the predetermined value easily. Further, the torque socket is simple in structure, thus reducing the production and assembly cost.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Jyun-Wun LIAO
  • Patent number: 7467576
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for use with a torque limiting driver. The clutch assembly comprises two relatively roatable clutch plates, a driving plate and a camming plate, that face one another, with a plurality of rolling members housed between the two members. When the rolling members are in the override position, the recesses form individual housings for the rolling members that include a gap located between the rolling members and a respective curvilinear base area of the drive plate. The clutch assembly is secured to a drive shaft by a pin, which is supported by a pair of wheels located on opposing sides of the pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Bradshaw Medical, Inc.
    Inventor: Hua Gao
  • Patent number: 7430945
    Abstract: A tool is provided for driving fasteners that includes a torque limiting mechanism therein. The torque limiting mechanism includes a first frictional engagement member disposed on the drive shaft for the tool that is engaged by one or more second frictional engagement members disposed on one or more sides of the first frictional member. The second frictional engagement members are biased into engagement with the first member by biasing members disposed within the handle that can be adjusted in order to provide more or less of a biasing force to control the frictional engagement of the second member with the first member and thereby control the torque limiting function of the torque limiting mechanism. In addition, a drive shaft is also engaged with a ratcheting mechanism that enables the tool to drive a fastener into a suitable substrate in only a single direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Gauthier, Steven S. Landowski
  • Patent number: 7383756
    Abstract: A torque screwdriver structure that has a positioning bar, a fixing ring, fixing balls, a sliding tube, a spring and a torque adjusting tuber providing strong mechanism between clutch and torque-adjusting button and being easy in use and simple in assembly when manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Inventor: Kuo-Tien Liu
  • Patent number: 7281457
    Abstract: A wrench includes a casing having a compartment, a rod rotatably received in the casing and having an end for coupling with a drive member for driving a fastener, an adjusting member mounted in the rod, and an elastic element for retaining the rod mounted between the adjusting member and the casing. When a rotational force applied to the casing is smaller than an engaging force between the casing and the elastic element, the rod turns together with the casing for tightening the fastener. When the rotational force applied to the casing is greater than the engaging force between the casing and the elastic element, the casing slides relative to the rod without turning the fastener. The adjusting member is adjustable in position relative to the casing to thereby change the engaging force between the casing and the elastic element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 7243581
    Abstract: A clutch assembly for use with a torque limiting driver. The clutch assembly comprises two relatively rotatable clutch plates, a driving plate and a camming plate, that face one another, with a plurality of rolling members housed between the two members. The driving clutch member has a face comprising a plurality of radially spaced flat areas and a plurality of recesses interposed between the flat areas, with the recesses comprising a curvilinear base area. The second camming clutch member has a face comprising a plurality of radially spaced flat areas and a plurality of opposing downwardly sloped planar surfaces interposed between said flat areas, with the planar surfaces forming an angle. The rolling members are movable from an engaged position with the clutch members to an override position. When the rolling members are in the override position, the recesses form individual housings for the rolling members that include a gap located between the rolling members and a respective curvilinear base area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Bradshaw Medical
    Inventor: Hua Gao
  • Patent number: 7222559
    Abstract: A screwdriver comprises a torque setting mechanism including a torque adjustment ring, an actuation rod threadedly secured to the upper torque adjustment ring and a lower torque adjustment nut, a spring biased sleeve with the actuation rod passed, and a clutch ring snugly put on two opposing intermediate flats of the actuation rod and having an upper surface engaged the torque adjustment ring and a lower surface formed with recesses engaged with steel balls on an upper surface of a support ring in the sleeve. Turning a rotatable handle will turn the sleeve. The clutch ring will disengage with the steel balls if the torque exceeds a set value. Thus, the torque exerted on the handle will not transmit to a shank secured to the actuation rod so as to prevent a screw from being over-driven by the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2007
    Inventor: Chun Fu Wang
  • Patent number: 7159494
    Abstract: A torque wrench for preventing transmission of torque in excess of a threshold level to avoid damage to replaceable scaler tips and hand pieces of ultrasonic dental instruments. The torque wrench has a housing with a core seated therein, with a cam mechanism or spring engagement between the core and the housing, such that the core may remain stationary when the housing is rotated passed the threshold level of torque. The core has an axial bore to receive a connecting shaft of a scaler tip, such that a working end and a functional shank of the scaler tip are received in a chamber of the housing, with the housing acting as an isolation cage for the scaler tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Mohammad A. Jamnia, Patricia H. Parker, William L. Bollig, Chadd Berkun, Marjavis J. Matthis
  • Patent number: 7127955
    Abstract: A torque limiting tool including an inner handle having a tool coupling portion, a biasing assembly aperture, and at least one radially oriented slot. At least one interface member is located in the radially oriented slot. The interface member includes an elongated surface generally oriented along a longitudinal axis. A biasing assembly is located in the biasing assembly aperture to provide a longitudinal biasing force that biases the interface member radially outward. An outer handle having an inner surface limits radial displacement of the interface member. The interface members are displaced radially inward when a torque applied to the inner handle exceeds a threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: Bondhus Corporation
    Inventors: John Bondhus, Mark Petroske
  • Patent number: 7093522
    Abstract: A wrench comprises a casing and a rod. The rod has a driven portion, a driving tip, and a straight section which extends therebetween. The driven portion has a clamped section, a rotating section and a cantilever section connected therebetween, the clamped section being securely clamped in the casing. The rotating section being rotatable, between a free position and a biased position, wherein in the biased position the rod closes an electric circuit, thereby activating an indicator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: E.T.M. Precision Tool Manufacture Ltd.
    Inventors: Hanoch Guy, Yehoshua Weinstein
  • Patent number: 7044036
    Abstract: A torque wrench has an elongated lever arm with working and distal ends, the lever arm carrying a wrench head at the working end, a selector mechanism at the distal end and a torque-responsive mechanism coupled to the selector mechanism for movement therewith among plural selectable positions respectively corresponding to preset torque values, the lever arm having a longitudinal axis and an outer surface spaced transversely from the axis no more than a maximum transverse distance, the selector mechanism including retaining mechanism disposed axially beyond the distal end of the lever arm and spaced transversely from the axis a distance greater than the maximum transverse distance for retaining the selector mechanism in a selected position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2006
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Eduardo Salazar, Brian Cutler
  • Patent number: 7021180
    Abstract: A torque applying tool such as a nutrunner or torque wrench incorporates torque sensors responsive to strain in a shaft mounting an output square drive head the strain being measured as it exists immediately adjacent the drive head. The shaft is a hollow quill shaft an outer diameter of which is splined to receive a torque drive input at a location axially spaced from the drive head. A central shaft extends from the drive head centrally up the quill shaft and a flexible cantilever beam is mounted between a cranked end of the central shaft as it extends out of the quill shaft and the corresponding end of the quill shaft. One or more strain sensing transducers, preferably S.A.W. devices, are mounted on the cantilever beam to detect flexure of the beam, and the resulting output signal is passed through an inductive or capacitive coupling for transmission to a CPU and display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Crane Electronics Ltd.
    Inventor: David Ogilvie Crane
  • Patent number: 6948410
    Abstract: A torque wrench is provided having body and a handle that is rotatably mounted to the body for adjusting the torque setting, and an axially movable sleeve operable to selectively lock the handle. The sleeve includes a rigid member and an elastomeric member, such as an O-ring, and the sleeve is configured to act against a locking ball held in a bore of the handle. The sleeve is selectively movable between two positions: (a) a locked position wherein the rigid member firmly retains the locking ball seated in one of several detents in the body, thereby preventing rotation of the handle; and (b) an unlocked position wherein the elastomeric member biases the locking ball inwardly, deflecting when the locking ball unseats from the detent to permit handle rotation. When the sleeve is in the unlocked position, the locking ball can incrementally “click” over the detents during handle rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Precision Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: John Andrew Larson
  • Patent number: 6945144
    Abstract: A manually operated torque wrench is capable of providing a finite plurality of selectable torque values. The torque wrench has a wrench head, a handle, and a torque-responsive mechanism for producing an indication when a torque value has been applied by the torque wrench. A selector in operable communication with the torque measuring mechanism and adapted to set the torque measuring mechanism to one of a finite plurality of predetermined selectable torque value is provided. A retaining mechanism positively retains the selector when one of the selectable torque values is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Snap-on Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Cutler, Jaye Kurtovic, Gary Keefe, David Sarabia, Denny Atkinson
  • Patent number: 6886434
    Abstract: A wrench includes a drive member for driving a fastener, a retainer securely engaged with the drive member to move therewith, and a casing having a compartment for accommodating the retainer. The casing includes a retaining section defining a retaining space for retaining the retainer in place. When a rotational force applied to the casing is smaller than an engaging force between the retaining section of the casing and a retaining device that is attached between the retaining section and the retainer, the retainer and the rod are turned to thereby turn the fastener. When a rotational force applied to the casing is greater than the engaging force, the casing slides while the retainer and the rod are not turned. The drive member is releasably engaged with the retainer, allowing the wrench to be used with various types of drive members for driving various types of fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 6666117
    Abstract: A wrench comprises a rod comprising a driving portion for engaging with a fastener, a retainer having an end securely engaged with the rod to move therewith, and a casing comprising a compartment for accommodating the retainer. The casing comprises a retaining section defining a retaining space for retaining the other end of the retainer in place. When a rotational force applied to the casing is smaller than an engaging force between the retaining section of the casing and a retaining device that is attached between the retaining section and the retainer, the retainer and the rod are turned to thereby turn the fastener. When a rotational force applied to the casing is greater than the engaging force, the casing slides while the retainer and the rod are not turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 6662693
    Abstract: A wrench includes a rod, a slide control member, a casing for rotatably accommodating the slide control member, and a retaining device. The rod comprises a driving portion on an end thereof for engaging with a fastener. The slide control member is securely mounted to the rod to turn therewith. The retaining device is mounted in the casing and includes an end operably connected to the slide control member. When a rotational force applied to the casing is smaller than an engaging force between the slide control member and the end of the retaining device, the slide control member and the rod are turned to thereby turn the fastener. When a rotational force applied to the casing is greater than the engaging force between the slide control member and the end of the retaining device, the casing slides while the slide control member and the rod are not turned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Bobby Hu
  • Patent number: 6439086
    Abstract: A torque limited applicator is useful for a wide variety of purposes where a mechanical device, such as a fastener, is to be driven but a maximum level of torque not exceeded. The applicator is reusable, and preferably easily constructed from integral pieces of plastic. A torque applying element with internal cam followers and a fastener drive structure with a drive element and a cam element may either be removably positioned with respect to each other, or a retaining ring and deformable pin may attach them together. A plug may be provided to reduce the possibility of tampering, provide a tamper evident seal, and to prevent foreign material from entering the area of cooperation between the cam element and cam followers, as well as providing an area for indicia indicating the maximum level of preset torque. Color coding for different torque levels for the applicators may be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: Randall A. Bahr
  • Patent number: 6330846
    Abstract: A invention relates to a chuck having a shank which provides two shank sections (5, 6), forms a clamping section (1) at one end for clamping in place in a drive member and forms a tool mounting (2) at the other end for mounting a tool, in particular a screwdriver bit (18), having an elastic element between the clamping-side shank section (6) and the tool-mounting-side shank section (5) for permitting a stop-limited twisting capability of the clamping section relative to the tool mounting (2). To achieve a narrow type of construction, provision is made for the elastic element to be formed as a bending spring which is bendable transversely to the axis of the chuck and connects the two shank sections to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2001
    Assignee: Wera Werk Hermann Werner GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Martin Strauch
  • Patent number: 6178853
    Abstract: An actuating device for an electrical power wrench includes a base member connected to a motor and an output shaft is rotatably connected to the base member. A pin biased by a spring movably extends through the base member. A ball biased by a spring is received in the base member and engaged with a groove defined in an outside of the pin. A movable frame with a weight movably retained between two blocks on the base member and two springs connected between the two ends of the movable frame and the two blocks. An L-shaped actuating member is rotatably connected between the two blocks and pivotably connected to two lugs of the movable frame. When the base member is rotated by the motor, the movable frame radially moves due to the eccentric force to pivot the actuating member. When the force being put on to the pin by the actuating member overcomes the froce of the two springs, the pin extends to impact a plate extending radially outward from the output shaft to output a sudden and large torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: You Jin Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Wan-Chang Huang
  • Patent number: 5735183
    Abstract: A power screw driver includes a clutch mechanism composed of a coiled clutch spring so designed as to entangle a drive shaft member and an output shaft member to connect them together, thereby enabling the drive and output shaft members to rotate in unison. By the use of the coiled clutch spring, the clutch engaging operation is achieved smoothly and silently without accompanying impact blow or shock, thereby securing reliable transmission of a torque from the drive shaft member to the output shaft member. The coiled clutch spring may be activated only when the drive shaft member is rotating in the forward direction, in which instance a one-way clutch is used to undertake transmission of the torque when the drive shaft member is rotating in the reverse direction. As an alternative, a single clutch spring may be used to undertake transmission of the torque in the forward and reverse rotational directions. Alternatively, two coiled clutch springs each provided for one rotational direction may be used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Sasaki, Mitsuo Ogura, Yuuichi Satou
  • Patent number: 5643089
    Abstract: A torque wrench has a non-jarring design such that it resets without jarring the output shaft after it delivers the preset maximum torque, it accommodates interchangeable output shafts so that a variety of different drive tips may be employed with the same handle, and it has a variable limiting torque value because it can accommodate interchangeable output shafts having uniquely designed cam surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: Scott R. Hummel
    Inventor: Scott R. Hummel
  • Patent number: 5617766
    Abstract: A torque wrench device has a torque wrench structure which includes a substantially tubular handle, a head pivotally secured to on end of the handle through a pivot pin, a toggle link connected to the head, a thruster coupled to the head through the toggle link, and a spring which resiliently urges the thruster towards the head. The device also has a clamp mechanism which is provided on an end of the head of the torque wrench structure and capable of clamping stem portions of a variety of types of wrenches by a resilient force exerted by a spring. The torque wrench structure may have an adapter support portion formed on one end of the head integrally therewith. In such a case, the torque wrench structure can be used together with an adapter engaged and held by the adapter support portion in such a manner as to allow adjustment of the position of the fulcrum at which the adapter is held by the torque wrench structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 8, 1997
    Assignee: Tonichi Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Tsuji, Yoshiji Okayasu
  • Patent number: 5224403
    Abstract: A calibrated torquing wrench that can be set to a predetermined value and upon reaching this torque by the rotation of the wrench will release the gear (28), spring (34) engagement and will allow the wrench to free-wheel for a small angle before re-engagement of the gear (28) and spring (34). The wrench will then endlessly rotate and repeat the predetermined value without exceeding the setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1993
    Inventor: Ward A. Rueb
  • Patent number: 4832299
    Abstract: An improved clamp fixture is provided for supporting a medical instrument or the like in a selected orientation relative to a variety of different support structures, such as an upright pole, a tabletop edge, a bed rail, etc. The clamp fixture comprises an open-sided base bracket for receiving the selected support structure to extend through the base bracket along a first axis. A clamp screw is carried by the base bracket and is adjustable to securely retain the support structure against an inner support surface of the base bracket. A frame member is mounted on the base bracket for rotation generally about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, with a spring-loaded lock pin releasably securing the frame member in one of several preset rotational positions. At least one frame arm extends outwardly from the frame member for connection to the medical instrument or the like in a manner permitting rotation of the medical instrument about a third axis perpendicular to the first and second axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: Pacesetter Infusion, Ltd.
    Inventors: Lanny A. Gorton, Gerald W. Schmidt
  • Patent number: 4571696
    Abstract: Backwards counters (11,12) are preset with upper and lower limits of the angle through which screws are to be driven, the counters being loaded when a certain value of torque is reached, at which time counting down begins with each increment of rotary angle. When the operation is completed in the usual way after reaching a limit value of torque, the increasing interval between count pulses is detected by a delay circuit (7) and counting is stopped. A logic circuit (15) shows whether the screw connection is satisfactory or whether it is underdriven or overdriven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Rainer Bitzer
  • Patent number: 4446766
    Abstract: A bladed rotor turning tool comprising a rotatable shaft (1), a finger (7) articulated on the end of the shaft about an axis substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis, the inclination of the finger relative to the shaft axis being controlled by cam means (10,11,12 and 14) so that the finger varies between being substantially perpendicular to the shaft axis and being substantially parallel to the shaft axis at diametrically opposed shaft positions. The cam means may comprise a cam surface (14) at the end of a sleeve (13) in which the shaft is positioned and means (10,11,12) for urging the finger into contact with the cam surface. Two such fingers may be provided to improve turning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1984
    Assignee: Rolls-Royce Limited
    Inventor: Desmond C. Lucey
  • Patent number: 4249435
    Abstract: A tool for turning a screw, nut, bolt or other rotatable workpiece includes a bottom housing carrying a workpiece engageable part and, above the housing, a handle engageable by the hand of a user. The handle is axially and angularly shiftable relative to the housing and is angularly connectable to the housing through both a torque spring and through sets of angular stops on the housing and on the handle which stops are brought into and out of engagement with one another as the handle is shifted axially relative to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Inventors: Norman R. Villeneuve, William J. Smith
  • Patent number: 4238978
    Abstract: Torque wrench having an output shaft driven through a torque-limiting clutch including a clutch cam and a clutch ball held in driving relationship by a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Lowell Corporation
    Inventor: Richard P. Leone