Patent ID: 6912933
Filing Date: 2005-07-05
Classification: B23D,B25B

Abstract:
1. A hydraulic torque wrench system comprising: a hydraulic cylinder unit having a hydraulic cylinder within a body; a ratchet unit having a ratchet mechanism located within a housing; said housing being generally oval in shape having a partial peripheral wall and opposing planar sidewalls; said ratchet unit including at least one drive plate having an upper lever portion and a lower ratchet portion; said at least one drive plate lever portion having means for rotatable attachment with said hydraulic cylinder unit for reciprocal motion generally parallel with said housing planar sides; said ratchet housing having a male connector cylindrical boss portion extending outward rearwardly from an upper perimeter portion of said housing and in communication with the interior of said housing in the vicinity of said drive plate lever portion; said ratchet mechanism having a rotatable ratchet wheel having teeth located around its periphery and positioned for rotation within said at least one drive plate within said lower ratchet portion and mounted for rotation between opposing planar sides of said housing; said hydraulic cylinder unit defining a central, longitudinal axis and having a female connector cylindrical boss located at a forward end thereof, a perpendicular cylinder end wall having and axially located bushing, and a rear free end portion having an end cap, said body defining an axially located cylinder having a reciprocating piston located therein for reciprocal movement therealong between said end wall and said end cap, said piston having a piston rod mounted thereon and extending axially therefrom and extending forward through said bushing and into said female connector cylindrical boss and ending in an actuating end; said body having hydraulic connectors for introduction of pressurized hydraulic fluid into said cylinder for driving said piston and piston rod; means for operatively connecting said piston rod actuating end and said upper lever portion for actuating reciprocal motion of said upper lever portion for driving said ratchet wheel; and means for operatively connecting said male connector cylindrical boss of said ratchet unit within said female connector cylindrical boss of said hydraulic unit at one of a plurality of selected circumferential positions; whereby said ratchet unit is operatively connected at a desired angle to said hydraulic unit to facilitate the use of the torque wrench system in a confined workspace and avoid twisting hydraulic feed lines to said hydraulic connector.