Patent ID: 6499358
Filing Date: 2002-12-31
Classification: B25B

Abstract:
A torque apparatus comprising:a head at one end thereof and a handle at the opposing end, said head defining a hexagonal cavity that contains at least one stop and is enclosed by a cap; at least one leaf spring positioned in the head and retained by said at least one stop within the hexagonal cavity of the head, said leaf spring containing at least one leaf spring element having a first section and a second section, where the second section is bent with respect to the first section; a rotor positioned within the hexagonal shaped cavity of the head, said rotor containing a plurality of radially extending drive teeth, said drive teeth having asymmetrical sides which define a ramp side in one direction and a flat side in the opposite direction, said rotor drive teeth sides engaging at least the second section of the at least one leaf spring element to produce a preset torque limit in at least one direction of rotation; a drive insert positioned within the rotor, between the rotor and the head for engaging with threaded members, said drive insert and rotor being retained within the hexagonal cavity by the cap; and a torque controlling mechanism in at least one rotational direction defined by the engagement of at least one leaf spring element with one of the sides of the rotor drive teeth such that when the torque applied is increased, said at least one leaf spring element engages and slips past the sides of the rotor drive teeth, the engagement of said leaf spring element with said drive tooth defining a limit to the torque that can be applied before slipping.