Patent ID: 6095020
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B25B,Y10S

Abstract:
In a hand tool of the type having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive having a handle with a longitudinal axis and a cavity extending along said axis, an elongated drive bit disposed in said cavity and extending from said handle for engaging an object to be rotationally driven by said tool, two gears disposed in said cavity and having a common central axis co-axial with said longitudinal axis and said gears having teeth thereon in mesh between said gears on a plane transverse to said central axis and said gears being arranged for rotation of one of said gears about said central axis in one direction of rotation and relative to the other of said gears and to preclude rotation of said one gear in a rotation direction opposite said one direction, said bit being rotationally connected to said one gear and said one gear being rotationally connected to said handle for rotation of said bit upon rotation of said handle, a spring in said cavity and being operative on said one gear for yieldingly urging said one gear into mesh with the other of said two gears to thereby limit the rotation torque transmitted between said two gears in said one direction, and an adjustable control in said cavity and operative on said gears in the direction along said central axis for applying axial force on said gears to establish the limit of rotation torque transmitted between said gears to said bit, the improvement comprisingan additional adjustable control movably mounted on said handle and extending externally of said handle whereby said additional control is accessible exteriorly of said handle,said additional adjustable control includes an adjuster threadedly operative for rotational movement on said axis and relative to said handle and extends into contact with said spring and thereby forces on said spring for pressing said gears toward each other,said adjustable control also includes a portion selectively rotatable on said axis and which is always in rotational driving relationship with said adjuster and is releasably non-rotationally secured to said handle in a first position and is movable along said axis to a second position which is of rotational release relative to said handle,a spring operative on said portion to urge said portion into said first position to be rotationally secured with said handle,a rotation drive connection between said portion and said adjuster for transmitting rotational force from said portion to said adjuster in said second position of said portion, andinterconnections between said portion and said handle whereby said portion is non-rotationally releasably secured in selected rotated positions relative to said handle when under the influence of only said spring which is operative on said portion.