Abstract:
Provided is an apparatus for applying a specific amount of torque, comprising a body, a torque wheel, rotationally affixed to the body, comprising a plurality of teeth around an outer edge and a central spring mechanism affixed to and enclosed within the body, the central spring mechanism, comprising a spring stop and a torque spring, the torque spring comprising a torque spring end wherein the torque spring end engages the plurality of teeth and wherein, in a first rotational direction, the engagement of the torque spring end in the plurality of teeth prevents the torque wheel from rotating with respect to the body below a specified amount of torque and wherein, above the specified amount of torque in a second rotational direction, the torque spring flexes enabling the torque spring end to disengage from the plurality of teeth and enabling the torque wheel to rotate with respect to the body.

Description:
FIELD OF DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    The claimed subject matter relates generally to wrench and, more specifically to torque-limiting wrench that may include a ratcheting mechanism. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A torque wrench is a mechanism that enables the amount of turning and twisting force, or “torque,” applied to a fastener, such as a screw, bolt or nut, to be set to a fixed limit. Current torque wrenches are complicated and expensive devices that enable a user to dial in a selected amount of torque. Of course, the user must know the appropriate torque setting prior to use of the wrench. A “ratchet” is a wrench that enables torque to be applied in one direction, i.e., clockwise or counter-clockwise, to a fastener but rotates freely in the other direction without applying a significant amount torque, allowing the ratchet handle to be re-positioned for another turn while remaining attached to the fastener. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Provided is an apparatus for applying a set amount of torque to a fastener such as, but not limited to, a screw, nut or bolt. In addition, the disclosed mechanism may include a ratchet mechanism. 
         [0004]    More specifically, provided is an apparatus for applying a specific amount of torque to a fastener, comprising a body, a torque wheel, rotationally affixed to the body, comprising a plurality of teeth around an outer edge and a central spring mechanism affixed to and enclosed within the body, the central spring mechanism, comprising a spring stop and a torque spring, the torque spring comprising a torque spring end wherein the torque spring end engages the plurality of teeth and wherein, in a first rotational direction, the engagement of the torque spring end in the plurality of teeth prevents the torque wheel from rotating with respect to the body below a specified amount of torque and wherein, above the specified amount of torque in a second rotational direction that is the opposite of the first rotational direction, the torque spring flexes between the spring stop and a point at which the torque spring attaches to a remainder of the central spring mechanism, enabling the torque spring end to disengage from the plurality of teeth and enabling the torque wheel to rotate with respect to the body. 
         [0005]    The apparatus may also include a ratchet mechanism. More specifically, also provided are a ratchet wheel, rotationally affixed to the body, the ratchet wheel comprising a second plurality of teeth around a second outer edge and a ratchet spring and the central spring mechanism, further comprising a ratchet spring comprising a ratchet spring end wherein the ratchet spring end engages the second plurality of teeth; wherein, in a third rotational direction, the engagement of the ratchet spring end in the second plurality of teeth prevents the ratchet wheel from rotating with respect to the body; and wherein, in a fourth rotational direction that is the opposite of the third rotational direction, the ratchet spring flexes, enabling the ratchet spring end to disengage from the second plurality of teeth and enabling the ratchet wheel to rotate with respect to the body. 
         [0006]    This summary is not intended as a comprehensive description of the claimed subject matter but, rather, is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the functionality associated therewith. Other systems, methods, functionality, features and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A better understanding of the claimed subject matter can be obtained when the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following figures. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a top view of a torque-limiting and ratcheting mechanism, or “torque wrench,” that exemplifies the claimed subject matter. 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a view of the bottom of the torque wrench introduced in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the top of the torque wrench shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of one embodiment of an central spring mechanism of the torque wrench of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the central spring mechanism of  FIG. 4  mounted in a body of the torque wrench of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an illustration a ratchet end of the wrench of  FIGS. 1-3  while the wrench is employed to tighten a fastener. 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an illustration the ratchet end of  FIG. 6  while the wrench is ratcheting while employed to tighten a fastener. 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is an illustration a torque end of the wrench of  FIGS. 1-3  while the wrench is employed to tighten a fastener with a specific torque. 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an illustration the torque end of  FIG. 8  while the wrench is ratcheting while employed to tighten a fastener with a specific torque. 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a second embodiment of an internal mechanism that may implement the torque wrench of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment of the torque wrench of  FIGS. 1-3  unassembled, i.e., an exploded view. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    As the Inventors herein have realized, typical torque wrenches are complicated, expensive and therefore not particular conducive to single operation, non-reusability. Although wrench of the disclosed technology may be constructed for repeated use, the wrench may also be manufactured with methods and materials in a manner that enables it to be a single use item. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a top view of a torque-limiting and ratcheting mechanism, or “torque wrench,”  100  that exemplifies the claimed subject matter. The components of the claimed torque wrench may be constructed of metal or plastic or any suitable material. Wrench  100  is encased in a body  102 , of which an upper body  104  is visible in  FIG. 1 . Body  102  would typically be a combination of upper body  104  and a lower body (see  112 ,  FIG. 2 ;  222  and  224 ,  FIG. 11 ). Wrench  100  includes a ratchet end  106  and a torque end  108 . As described in more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 2-5 , ratchet end  106  is employed to tighten and untighten screws, bolts and other fasteners with torque limited by the strength and flexibility of the materials used in construction of wrench  100 . Torque end  108  is configured to apply a pre-set maximum amount of torque during tightening of a screw, bolt or other type of fastener. 
         [0021]    Visible in ratchet end  106  is a square drive hole  110 . Square drive hole  110  may be employed to couple wrench  100  with square headed screws, bolts and other types of fasteners (not shown). It should be understood that other types of fasteners may also be tightened or untightened with ratchet end  106  of wrench  100  by using a different type of hole rather than square drive hole  110 . For example, a six-sided hole (not shown) may be employed in conjunction with a typical six-sided bolt head or a star-shaped hole (not shown) may be employed with a star-shaped fastener head. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  is a view of the bottom of torque wrench  100  introduced in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 2  shows a lower body  112  of body  102  in addition to ratchet end  106 , torque end  108  and square drive hole  110 , all first introduced in  FIG. 1 . In addition, a square drive hole  114  in torque end  108  is visible. Like square drive hole  110 , square drive hole  114  may be reconfigured to enable wrench  100  to tighten various types of fasteners with different types of heads. Is should be noted that, in this particular configuration, square drive hole  110  is illustrated as passing through body  102  while square drive hole  114  may only be placed around a fastener through lower body  112 . In other words, in this embodiment, square drive hole  114  does not pass through upper body  104 . In this configuration, ratchet end  106  may be employed to both tighten and untighten a fastener while torque end  108  is employed only to tighten a fastener with the appropriate torque. 
         [0023]    Two fasteners  116  hold upper body  104  ( FIG. 1 ) and lower body  112  together. Many different types of fasteners may be employed to hold upper body  104  and lower body  112  together including, but not limited to, bolts, screws and rivets. Further, upper body  104  and lower body  112  may simply be glued together or constructed in such a manner that they may be snapped together. The exact nature of the manner in which upper body  104  and lower body  112  are coupled is not relevant to the claimed subject matter. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3  is merely a perspective view of the top of torque wrench  100  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Included in  FIG. 3  are body  102 , ratchet end  106 , torque end  108  and square drive hole  110 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of one embodiment of an central spring mechanism  120  of torque wrench  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 . Central spring mechanism  120  includes a ratchet spring  122 , a torque spring  124  and a spring stop  126 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a cut away view of body  102  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) of torque wrench  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 , including central spring mechanism  120  of  FIG. 4 . As explained in  FIG. 4 , central spring mechanism  120  includes ratchet spring  122 , which is oriented towards ratchet end  106  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) and torque spring  124 , which is oriented towards torque end  108  ( FIGS. 1-3 ). At ratchet end  106  is a ratchet wheel  128  with a square drive hole  110  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) and wheel teeth  130 . At torque end  108 , is a torque wheel  132 , square drive hole  114  ( FIG. 2 ) and wheel teeth  134 . The operations of the various elements of  FIG. 5  are explained in more detail below in conjunction with  FIGS. 5-10 . 
         [0027]    Also included in  FIG. 5  for purposes of explanation, are directional arrows  140 ,  142 ,  144  and  146  and rotational arrows  105  and  152 . Throughout the Specification, arrow  140  will be referred to as the “up,”  142  as “down,” arrow  144  as “left” and arrow  146  as “right.” Rotation arrow  150  will be referred to as “counter-clockwise” and rotation arrow  152  as “clockwise.” Of course each of these direction designations is dependent upon the specific orientation of wrench  100  but will be used with respect to the orientation of wrench  100  shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of ratchet end  106  ( FIGS. 1-4 ) of wrench  100  ( FIGS. 1-3 ) while wrench is employed to tighten a fastener (not shown) positioned in square drive hole  116  ( FIGS. 1-3 ), i.e. when body  102  is being rotated clockwise  150 . In this example, a fastener (not shown) through square drive hole  110  is exerting a clockwise  150  force on ratchet wheel  128 . Ratchet spring end  152  is thereby pushed right  146  by a wheel tooth  154  of wheel teeth  130 , forcing ratchet spring  122  against a shelf  156  of central spring mechanism  120 . Shelf  156  then prevents ratchet wheel  128  from rotating counter-clockwise  152  respect to body  102 , thereby enabling the fastener positioned in square drive hole  110  to be tightened. 
         [0029]      FIG. 7  is an illustration the ratchet end of  FIG. 5  while wrench  100  is ratcheting while employed to tighten a fastener (not shown) positioned in square drive hole  110 , i.e. when body  102  is being rotated counter-clockwise  152 . In this example, a fastener (not shown) through square drive hole  110  is exerting a counter-clockwise  152  force on ratchet wheel  128 . Ratchet spring end  152  is thereby pushed left  144  by a wheel tooth  162  of wheel teeth  130 , forcing ratchet spring  122  to bend and enabling wheel teeth  130 , including a wheel tooth  162 , to clear ratchet spring end  152 . This enables ratchet wheel  128  to rotate clockwise  150  with respect to body  102  and body  102  to be repositioned with respect to the fastener positioned in square drive hole  110 , or “ratcheted,” without exerting sufficient torque on the fastener to untighten the fastener. 
         [0030]    It should be understood that because square drive hole  110  passes through body  102  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ) that the tightening/untightening of ratchet end  106  can be reversed by flipping wrench  100 . In other words, if the fastener is started through square drive hole  110  through lower body  112  ( FIG. 2 ) of body  102 , wrench performs as described in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . However, if the fastener is started through square drive hole  110  through upper cover  102  ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ), then wrench ratchets clockwise  150  and untightens the fastener counter-clockwise  152 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 8  is an illustration a torque end of the wrench of  FIGS. 1-3  while the wrench is employed to tighten a fastener with to a specific torque, i.e., when body  102  is being rotated clockwise  150 . Like in the example of  FIG. 6 , in this example, a fastener (not shown) through square drive hole  114  is exerting a counter-clockwise  152  force on torque wheel  132 . A torque spring end  172  is thereby pushed right  146  by a wheel tooth  174  of wheel teeth  134 , forcing torque spring  124  against spring stop  126  of central spring mechanism  120 . Spring stop  126  then prevents torque wheel  132  from rotating counter-clockwise  152  respect to body  102 , thereby enabling the fastener positioned in square drive hole  114  to be tightened. 
         [0032]    Unlike the relative position of shelf  156  and ratchet spring end  152  ( FIG. 5 ), spring stop  174  makes contact with torque spring  124  further from torque spring end  172 . This positioning enables torque spring  174  to flex between spring stop  174  and an attachment point  176  at which torque spring  124  attaches to the rest of central spring mechanism  120 . This flex enables wheel teeth  134 , including wheel tooth  172 , to clear torque spring  124  when sufficient torque is applied to body  102 . In this manner, a defined amount of torque can be applied to the fastener through square drive hole  114 , depending upon the force required to sufficiently flex torque spring  124 . The specific amount of torque necessary can be fixed depending upon the size of torque spring  124  and the properties of the materials employed in the construction of torque spring  124 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 9  is an illustration the torque end of  FIG. 8  while the wrench is ratcheting while employed to tighten a fastener with a specific torque, i.e. when body  102  is being rotated counter-clockwise  152 . Like in the example of  FIG. 7 , in this example, a fastener (not shown) through square drive hole  114  is exerting a counter-clockwise  152  force on torque wheel  132 . Torque spring end  172  is thereby pushed left  144  by a wheel tooth  182  of wheel teeth  134 , forcing torque spring  124  to bend and enabling wheel teeth  130 , including wheel tooth  182 , to clear torque spring end  172 . This enables torque wheel  132  to rotate clockwise  150  with respect to body  102  and body  102  to be repositioned with respect to the fastener positioned in square drive hole  114 , or “ratcheted,” without exerting sufficient torque on the fastener to untighten the fastener. 
         [0034]      FIG. 10  is an illustration of a second embodiment  200  of a central spring mechanism that may be implemented with torque wrench  100  of  FIGS. 1-3 . Like  FIGS. 5-9 , direction arrows  140 ,  142 ,  144  and  146  and rotation arrows  150  and  152  are shown for the sake of convenience. Also illustrated with central spring mechanism  200  is a torque wheel  202  that includes a plurality of wheel teeth  204  along an outer edge and a hexagonal opening to accommodate, in the example, a hexagonal fastener to be tightened. A torque spring  206  attaches to the remainder of central spring mechanism  200  at a pivot point  208 . Torque spring  206  is comprised of a spring teeth  210 , a long leg  212  and a short leg  214 . Central spring mechanism  200  is also comprised of a spring stop  216 . 
         [0035]    When body  102  (see  FIGS. 1-3 ) is rotated in clockwise direction  150 , long leg  212  is forced against spring stop  216 , which enables torque wheel  202  to also turn in clockwise direction  150  with body  102  (see  FIGS. 1-8 ). However, once a certain amount of torque is applied, torque spring  206  flexes between spring stop  216  and spring pivot  208 , releasing spring teeth  210  from wheel teeth  204  and torque wheel  202  no longer rotates with body  102  and torque spring mechanism  200 . In this manner, only a measured amount of torque is applied to a fastener through a hole in the center of torque wheel  202 . A hex drive hole  218  in the center of torque wheel  202  conforms to the type of fastener that is to be tightened. 
         [0036]    When body  102  (see  FIGS. 1-8 ) is rotated in counter-clockwise direction  152 , torque spring  206  is forced down  142  until short leg  214  has traveled through a clearance  220 . This enables spring teeth  210  to become disengaged from wheel teeth  204 , thereby enabling torque wheel  202  to rotate, or “ratchet.” with respect to body  102  and central spring mechanism  200 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment of a torque wrench, specifically a torque wrench  220 , which is unassembled, i.e., an exploded view. Like torque wrench  100  ( FIG. 1-3 ), torque wrench  220  includes a body like body  102  ( FIGS. 1-3 and 5-9 ), which in this illustration is separated into an upper body  222  and a lower body  224 , a ratchet wheel  228  like ratchet wheel  128  ( FIGS. 5-7 ) and a torque wheel  232  like torque wheel  132  ( FIGS. 5 and 8-10 ). 
         [0038]    Unlike similar structures of torque wrench  100 , upper body  222 , lower body  224  and central spring mechanism  226  include a body notch  228 , a body notch  230  and central spring mechanism (CSM) notch  232 , respectively. Notches  228 ,  230  and  232  are intended to line up when torque wrench  220  is assembled, thus preventing central spring mechanism  226  from being positioned incorrectly within upper body  222  and lower body  224 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is intended to illustrate how the different components of a claimed torque wrench, such as torque wrenches  100  and  220 , are assembled. When assembled, ratchet wheel  228  fits within a ratchet wheel opening  234  in central spring mechanism  226 . In a similar fashion, torque wheel  232  fits within a torque wheel opening  236  in central spring mechanism  226 . Central spring mechanism  226 , including ratchet wheel  234  and torque wheel  232  are then enclosed within upper body  222  and lower body  224 . Upper body  222  and lower body  224  may then be secured together with glue, snaps, screws, rivets or any other means that may be apparent to hose with skill in the relevant arts (see  116 ,  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0040]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0041]    The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.