TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE

Abstract: A torque transfer device which incorporates a continuous direct drive (9) comprised of a plurality of alternating pins (6) and links (4) which advance each other to provide the drive. The direct drive communicates through a first drive sprocket (3) and a second drive sprocket (7) and traveling through the drive sprockets to rotate the drive sprockets to transfer torque.

Description: TORQUE TRANSFER DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a device for transferring torque. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are many devices which transfer torque, or rotational velocity, from one point to another. Chains, belts and similar direct drive transfer rotational movement from one gear or pulley or similar drive means to a second or subsequent gear or pulley or similar driven means. In some applications, it is desirable to transfer relatively high torque from one point to another point, or from one device to another device. In such applications, space limitations may be a factor. The relatively high torque to be transferred may preclude the use of torque transfer devices which cannot handle heavy duty loads, while space does not permit the use of large devices. An example of such space limitations are torque transfer devices which are placed within enclosures. Examples of devices which transfer relatively high torque are tools which are used to tighten fasteners by the application of torque. Engines and motors use torque transfer devices both operationally, such as camshaft drives, and as power take off devices, such as chain drives on motorcycles. High torque and limited space is a factor in such devices Various wrenches, extensions, ratchets, adapters and power transfer tools and devices are disclosed in the prior art. Similarly, camshafts and similar devices are driven by the application of relatively high torque where space for the application of the drive means is limited. Problems are encountered with such devices where the devices are enclosed in relatively small housings, or are otherwise required to be relatively compact in comparison to the torque to be transferred. Common problems experienced with the devices of the prior art include friction and wear between the housing of the device and the drive means, inadequate strength of the drive means or gears, and inadequate or improper engagement of the drive means and the gears due to space limitations. An additional problem which is experienced relates to stretching of the drive means. The drive means is subjected to substantial forces as power is transferred from one drive gear to the other drive gear. Over time, the drive means will stretch, causing problems in the operation of the device. Other drive means jam or bind due to bunching of the drive means at the points of entry or exit to the drive sprockets. The path traveled by the drive means or the structure of the drive means causes such jamming or binding. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is a device which transfers torque from one point to a second remote point of the device. A drive means or drive tool inputs torque into the device at a first point, and the rotational movement, and torque, is taken, or harvested, from the second remote point. Typically, the transfer of the rotation by the tool will be along a path of travel which is not on the same axis as the rotation of the drive tool. The invention incorporates a direct drive which connects a first drive sprocket to a second drive sprocket. The first sprocket rotates as torque is applied to the first sprocket, and as the first sprocket engages the direct drive, the direct drive engages the second drive sprocket, causing it to rotate. The direct drive is comprised of a plurality of alternating pins and links, which form a continuous loop. The pins and links engage the drive sprockets as the pins and links are advanced. The pins and links are not attached to each other. Forming the direct drive means from a series of pins and links which contact each other, but which are not connected, eliminates problems which are associated with wear when chains or belts are used as the drive means. The pins will not stretch or break, and are able to handle high torque loads. The pins have an arcuate surface which acts as a bearing surface with regard to the sprockets, and the links have arcuate ends which engage the pins. The pins are formed to have a reduced center dimension, and are shaped like a dumb bell. The sprockets are formed to each have an upper and lower set of teeth with a space between them. The ends of the pins engaged the teeth, and the links engaged the space in the teeth. The interaction of pins, the links and the upper and lower teeth of each of the drive sprockets according to the invention prevents jamming of the direct drive. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of the device with the housing separated to reveal the interior of the device. Figure 2 is a sectioned, partial view of the device. Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the links which forms the direct drive. Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the pins which forms the direct drive. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is characterized by a direct drive which is driven by a first drive sprocket, or gear, or similar rotational device. The direct drive, in turn, drives a second drive sprocket, or gear, or pulley, or a similar rotational device. The direct drive transfers torque from the first rotating member, or sprocket, to a second, or perhaps subsequent, sprocket. Figure 1 shows the elements of the device. The direct drive 9 is comprised of a plurality of alternating pins 6 and links 4. The pins and links abut each other as shown, but are not attached to each other. The housing is shown in two parts 1, 2, with the housing split for assembly of the device, and subsequent access to the mechanism. One sprocket 3 has a void for a rectangular drive, and the remaining sprocket 7 has a hexagonal void, although other configurations could be used. A shedderδ is centrally disposed within the housing to direct the travel of the pins and links. The device is contained within the housing. The housing may be elongated. The housing may have a race formed in it in which the ends of the pins track. The shedder directs the pins and links through the housing. The shedder and the interior walls of the housing direct the travel of the pins and links. The pins and links are not attached to each other. The pins form a continuous loop direct drive. The continuous loop direct drive rotates through a first drive sprocket 3 and a second drive sprocket 7. The first drive sprocket receives torque from an external input source, and is the drive sprocket. The drive sprocket rotates, and each tooth of the drive sprocket engages a pin, pushing the pin through the drive sprocket, and pushing the pin as it exits the tooth of the drive sprocket. The force applied to a pin as it exits the drive sprocket causes the pin to move along. As the pin exits the tooth which it occupied, the pin pushes the adjoining link which the pin abuts, and which is ahead of, the pin. Each link, in turn, pushes the pin adjoining it and ahead of it, advancing the pins and links, and advancing the continuous loop direct drive. As the pins enter the second, or driven, sprocket, they engage the teeth and push the driven sprocket, causing it to rotate. A tool or other device may be attached to the driven sprocket, and torque taken or harvested from the driven sprocket. The pins and links exit the driven sprocket, and engage the shedder, and continue to be pushed through the housing, and back to the drive sprocket. The pin behind in the direction of travel pushes the link ahead, in a chain, providing the continuous direct drive. The pins 6 have a reduced center dimension, and have a greater dimension on each end. As shown in Figure 4, the pins are shaped like a dumb bell used in weight lifting, but will typically be substantially smaller and lighter than an actual dumb bell. The key feature of the embodiment of the pins as shown is that they are larger on each end than in the center. As shown, each end of the pin is of one diameter, and the center is of a smaller diameter than the ends. This structure allows engagement of the pins with the links at the smaller diameter, and with the upper and lower teeth of the sprocket at the larger diameter ends of the pins. Figure 2. The interaction of pins, the links and the drive sprockets according to the invention prevents jamming of the direct drive. The links are formed to engage the pins at the reduced diameter center of the pins. The links are of an appropriate thickness to engage the center of the pins. Each link has arcuate ends which correspond to the diameter of the center of the pin. Figure 3. The center diameter of the pin engages a link at the arcuate surface of the link. A bearing surface is formed which allows rotation of the link relative to the pin, with minimal wear, and without binding. While there is contact with each pin by two links, and by each link with two pins, the pins and links are not attached to each other. The sprockets are adapted to engage the pins and links. The sprockets have an upper set and a lower set of teeth, with a space between the sets of teeth. Each pin engages a tooth of the sprocket, with one end of the pin engaging a tooth of the upper set of teeth, and the opposite end of the pin engaging the corresponding tooth of the lower set of teeth, opening. The space between the upper and lower set of teeth of the drive sprocket accepts the links. Figure 2. The pins contact the teeth of the sprockets on the ends of the pins. The curved surfaces act as bearings, and since they are not attached to each other or to the links, the pins can rotate about their axis. This structure yields a direct drive which is low in associated friction, resulting in minimal wear, as compared with chain drives formed of connected links. Points 8 are formed on the ends of the shedder. As the pins and links leave the sprocket, the points of the shedder pick the pins and links from the teeth and place them back on the shedder, on an initial line along the shedder that is almost a tangent line. Entry of the pins into the drive sprocket is at a very low angle of attack to the sprocket, and departure of the pins from the sprocket occurs with only a small change in the angle of travel of the pins. Accordingly, the direct drive is guided along a precise path by the walls of the housing and the shedder. The pins and links enter and exit the drive sprockets without jamming at the entry and exit points. The radius of the housing on each end is such that the pins are held within the teeth of the drive sprocket by the housing as shown in Figure 1. This structure provides for very smooth operation of the device without jamming or binding of the pins and links, which are not attached. The present invention may be used with hand tools or power tools. Hand tools and power tools commonly use six point, or hexagonal, engagement means, or twelve point engagement means. Torque is applied from another rotating device, or drive. The rotating device could be any known tool, including a wrench, ratchet, screwdriver, or a power tool, a motor, or a transmission, or other device which will apply a rotational force to the sprocket. The rotation of the direct drive by the first sprocket causes rotation of the second sprocket. In this manner, torque is transferred to the second sprocket. Power take off means may be supplied, and application means, such as a tool, a generator, a pump, or other device which is actuated by the application of torque could be used. For the purpose of increasing or decreasing torque, or increasing or decreasing rotational speed, sprockets of different effective diameters could be employed, with the housing modified accordingly. The housing may have various shapes, although the reduced center dimension as shown is preferred. An object of the present invention is to provide a device which will transfer torque to a point where there is difficulty in positioning a drive. The use of the housing as shown provides relatively straight lines of travel for the pins between the sprockets, while also providing a housing of minimum dimensions for working in tight spaces. The best mode for using the device is as extension for tools. A drive, such as the drive of a ratchet or air wrench is inserted into the first drive sprocket. The direct drive transfers torque to the second drive sprocket, and a socket or other tool can be used to tighten or loosen a threaded fastener at a location which is remote from the wrench. The device is particularly suited to such an application since tools for torquing threaded fasteners must be able to handle high torque, while the space in which such tools are used is frequently limited, meaning that the tool must be as small as possible Other uses for the device are apparent from the disclosure of the device herein.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A torque transfer device, comprising: a. a first drive sprocket and a second drive sprocket; b. a continuous loop direct drive which engages each of said first drive sprocket and said second drive sprocket, said continuous loop direct drive comprising a plurality of alternating pins and links, with each of said plurality of pins having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end and said second end are connected by a center member which is of reduced size, and wherein each of said links engages one of said pins at said center member of said one of said pins ; and a housing which contains said first drive sprocket, said second drive sprocket and said direct drive. 2. A torque transfer device as described in claim 1 , further comprising a shedder which is disposed within said housing between said first drive sprocket and said second drive sprocket and which engages said continuous loop direct drive. 3. A torque transfer device as described in claim 1, wherein said first drive sprocket has an upper set of teeth and a lower set of teeth, and wherein said first drive sprocket engages said links between said upper set of teeth and said lower set of teeth. 4. A torque transfer device as described in claim 2, wherein said first drive sprocket has an upper set of teeth and a lower set of teeth, and wherein said first drive sprocket engages said links between said upper set of teeth and said lower set of teeth. 5. A torque transfer device as described in claim 1, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end which engages said center member. •6. A torque transfer device as described in claim 2, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end which engages said center member. 7. A torque transfer device as described in claim 3, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end which engages said center member. 8. A torque transfer, device as described in claim 4, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end which engages said center member. 9. A torque transfer device, comprising: a. a first drive sprocket and a second drive sprocket; b. a continuous loop direct drive which engages each of said first drive sprocket and said second drive sprocket, said continuous loop direct drive comprising a plurality of alternating pins and links, and wherein each of said links engages one of said pins, and wherein said pins are not attached to said links; and a housing which contains said first drive sprocket, said second drive sprocket and said direct drive . 10. A torque transfer device as described in claim 9, wherein each of said plurality of pins has a first end and a second end, wherein said first end and said second end are connected by a center member which is of reduced size, and wherein each of said links engages one of said pins at said center member of said one of said pins. 11. A torque transfer device as described in claim 9, further comprising a shedder which is disposed within said housing between said first drive sprocket and said second drive sprocket and which engages said continuous loop direct drive. 12. A torque transfer device as described in claim 9, wherein said first drive sprocket has an upper set of teeth and a lower set of teeth, and wherein said first drive sprocket engages said links between said upper set of teeth and said lower set of teeth. 13. A torque transfer device as described in claim 10, wherein said first drive sprocket has an upper set of teeth and a lower set of teeth, and wherein said first drive sprocket engages said links between said upper set of teeth and said lower set of teeth. 14. A torque transfer device as described in claim 11 , wherein said first drive sprocket has an upper set of teeth and a lower set of teeth, and wherein said first drive sprocket engages said links between said upper set of teeth and said lower set of teeth. 15. A torque transfer device as described in claim 9, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end. 16. A torque transfer device as described in claim 10, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end. 17. A torque transfer device as described in claim 11 , wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end. 18. A torque transfer device as described in claim 12, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end. 19. A torque transfer device as described in claim 13, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end. 20. A torque transfer device as described in claim 14, wherein each of said links has at least one arcuate end.

Inventors: LUND DAVID, LUND, DAVID
Applicants: VICTORY IN JESUS MINISTRIES IN, VICTORY IN JESUS MINISTRIES, INC.
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F16G1
IPC codes: F16H7, F16H49