Patent ID: 6021694
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: A61B,A61C,A61F,B25B

Abstract:
A surgical torque wrench, comprising:(a) a jaw part adapted for application to an element to be turned;(b) a handle part adjoining said jaw part for turning said jaw part; wherein:said jaw part is joined to said handle part, and is pivotable with respect to said handle part about a pivot axis from an operative position to an overload position when a torque exceeding a predetermined torque is exerted on said handle part; andsaid pivot axis extends parallel to an axis of rotation of the element to be turned;(c) a spring;(d) a holding device provided between the jaw part and the handle part; wherein:said holding device is biased by said spring for fixing said jaw part in said operative position at a first angular position relative to said handle part when a torque less than the predetermined torque is exerted on said handle part;said holding device is releasable to allow said jaw part to pivot from said operative position into said overload position at a second angular position relative to said handle part when a torque exceeding the predetermined torque is exerted on said handle part; andonce said jaw part has entered said overload position, said spring biases said holding device to bias said jaw part back into said operative position; and(e) a locking element movable with respect to said handle part between first and second positions; wherein:in said first position, said locking element embraces a portion of said jaw part to prevent removal of said jaw part from said handle part; andin said second position, said locking element releases said portion of said jaw part to allow said jaw part to pivot from said operational position in a direction away from said overload position to facilitate removal of said jaw part from said handle part.