Abstract:
A slotted torque wrench has an elongated stem that extends between a handle and a socket for a nut. The slot extends through one face of the socket and at least partially along the stem. A torque limiter couples the socket to the handle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention pertains to torque wrenches usable in connection with electrical connectors. More particularly, the invention pertains to socket-type torque wrenches suited for use with high density, miniature RF connectors.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     A variety of known connectors are available for use with coaxial cable. These include SMA, SSMA, and SMC-type coaxial connectors. Such connectors are available in both straight and right angle configurations with threaded studs to which the coaxial cables are connected.  
         [0003]     It has been recognized that it is important to tighten the cables to such connectors to specific torque values. Since such connectors are often used in very high density environments, such as avionics and the like, the connectors are often very tightly packed. This can create difficulties in attempting to properly torque each connector.  
         [0004]     Torque wrenches are known for use with connectors as described above. However, in high density environments, the connectors are too closely spaced to be able to use known torque wrenches.  
         [0005]     There continues to be a need for torque wrenches usable in connection with high density miniature and sub-miniature connectors. Preferably, such torque wrenches would not only be usable in high density environments to properly torque each connector, they will also be cost effective to manufacture in a variety of sizes to be usable with different nut sizes, are required by SMA, SSMA, SMC and other types of high density connectors. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of the torque wrench in accordance with the invention;  
         [0007]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of the torque wrench of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a handle of the torque wrench of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view illustrating additional features of the torque wrench of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating use of the torque wrench of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 6  is another view illustrating use of the torque wrench of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]     While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.  
         [0013]     A torque wrench which embodies the invention incorporates an elongated hollow stem with a slot extending therealong. One end of the stem is coupled, via a torque limiting mechanism, to a handle. The other end of the stem carries a socket of a selected size. The slot extends through one of the faces of the socket.  
         [0014]     It will be understood that a variety of torque limiting mechanisms could be incorporated into the present torque wrench without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A disclosed embodiment incorporates an elongated coil spring carried by the handle so as to bias the stem toward the handle.  
         [0015]     The handle and the adjacent end of the stem carry a plurality of mating surfaces. One set of surfaces is oriented such that as applied torque increases to a preset limit, the handle will decouple and slip relative to the stem.  
         [0016]     The torque mating surfaces are configured so that torque is limited when tightening a nut on a threaded stem. The mating surfaces are configured such that no such limitation exists when the wrench is rotated in the opposite direction so as to uncouple the nut from the respective threads. The present torque wrench can be used with connectors having both internal or external threads.  
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a torque wrench  10  in accordance with the invention. The wrench  10  includes a generally T-shaped handle  12  which is rotatably coupled to an elongated hollow stem  14 . The handle  12  has a manually manipulatable section  16   a  which is generally oriented to be perpendicular to a center line A of the stem  14 . The handle  12  terminates at a plurality of surfaces  16   b  radially disposed about the center line A of the stem  14 .  
         [0018]     The stem  14  has a first end  20   a  and a second end  20   b . The first end  20   a  carries a plurality of surfaces indicated generally at  20   a - 1 . The surfaces  20   a - 1  are radially disposed about the center line A of the stem  14  and, as discussed in more detail subsequently, engage the surfaces  16   b.    
         [0019]     The end  20   b  carries a socket  20   c  of a selected size and configuration depending on the style and type of nut to be tightened. It will be understood that neither the size nor the configuration of the socket  20   c  are limitations of the present invention.  
         [0020]     Stem  14  defines an interior hollow region  14 - 1  which extends at least part way along stem  14  extending from socket  20   c . The internal region  14 - 1  is exposed by slot  14 - 2  which extends at least part way along stem  14 . The socket  20   c  exhibits a mating slot  20   c - 1  which is generally coextensive with the slot  14 - 2 .  
         [0021]     Portions of a torque limiting mechanism  24  include a threaded member or screw  24   a  which carries a coil spring  24   b . The element  24  is slidably received within the stem  14 . An end  24   c  of the connector  24   a  extends through a centrally located opening  14 - 3  of stem  14 , adjacent to surfaces  20   a - 1 , through an adjacent opening or boring  16   c , best seen in  FIG. 3 , whereat the end  24   c  engages nut  24   d . Member  24  when coupled to nut  24   d  rotatably attaches the handle  12  to the stem  14 .  
         [0022]     As discussed below, to tighten a nut, socket  20   c  is slid onto the nut and handle  12  is rotated in a direction T so as to screw the nut onto the respective threaded member. Element  24  in combination with surfaces  16   b  and  20   a - 1  limits tightening torque of the nut onto the receiving threads. To remove a nut, handle  12  is rotated opposite the direction T.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 2-4  illustrate alternate views and additional details of the wrench  10 . As illustrated therein, surfaces  16   b  include a plurality of identical multi-surfaced regions  30 - 1 , - 2 , . . . -n disposed radially about a center line of the threaded element  24   a.    
         [0024]     The plurality of regions  30 - 1 , - 2 , - 3  . . . -n are identical and a description of region  30 - 1  is applicable to all of the others. The region  30 - 1  incorporates a surface  32 - 1  which extends generally parallel to central axis A of the stem  14  and element  24   a . Surface  32 - 1  intersects planar angular surface  32 - 2  which extends radially relative to the axis A and perpendicular thereto. The radial surface  32 - 2  intersects biased surface  32 - 3 .  
         [0025]     The biased surface  32 - 3  which extends radially relative to the central axis A is at a selected angle relative to the surface  32 - 2  to implement the torque limiting feature of the wrench  10 . The surface  32 - 3  intersects a planar wedge shaped surface  32 - 4  which extends radially relative to the axis A and parallel to the surface  32 - 2 .  
         [0026]     The surfaces  20   a - 1  carried on end  20   a  of stem  14  form a plurality of surfaces  36 - 1 , - 2  . . . -n which engage the previously discussed pluralities of surfaces  32 - 1 , - 2 , - 3  and - 4 . As best seen in  FIG. 4 , one of those pluralities of surfaces  36 - 1  includes a first surface  38 - 1  which extends generally parallel to the axis A and surface  32 - 1 . The surface  38 - 1  intersects a radially extending surface  38 - 2  which extends parallel to the surface  32 - 2  relative to each of the pluralities  36 - 1 , - 2  . . . -n. The surface  38 - 2  intersects a surface  38 - 3  which is parallel to surface  32 - 3 . Finally, the surface  38 - 3  intersects surface  38 - 4  which extends parallel to the surface  32 - 4 .  
         [0027]     As the handle  12  is rotated in the direction T tightening a threaded member or a nut contained in the socket  20   c , the surfaces  32 - 3 ,  38 - 3 , slide upon one another in opposition to the retaining force exerted by the coil spring  24   b . As would be understood by those of skill in the art, the angle and length of the surfaces  32 - 3 ,  38 - 3  and the spring constant of the coil spring  24   b  in combination establish a maximum torque which can be exerted by the socket  20   c  in tightening the respective threaded member. When that torque limit is reached, the surfaces  32 - 3 ,  38 - 3  disengage.  
         [0028]     To disconnect a threaded member or nut, the handle  12  of the wrench  10  is rotated in a direction opposite the direction T which causes surfaces  32 - 1  and  38 - 1  to engage one another transferring the torque from handle  12  to the socket  20   c  for purposes of releasing the threaded member.  
         [0029]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an exemplary element  40 , which might be a portion of an RF or microwave circuit, and which carries a relatively high density plurality of threaded connectors  42 , such as  42   a ,  42   b  . . .  42   k . Each of the exemplary connectors  42  exhibits a threaded stud which could have an interior or an exterior thread all without limitation.  
         [0030]     A plurality of coaxial cables indicated generally at  46  is to be screwed onto or coupled to the connectors  42 . It will be understood that the connectors  42  can exhibit a variety of geometries without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. They can include, for example, without limitation, SMA, SSMA or SMC-type connectors.  
         [0031]     Each of the coaxial cables, such as cable  46   a  carries a termination nut or element  46   a - 1 . Each of the connector elements or nuts  46   a - 1 , - 2  . . . -m is to be coupled to a respective connector  42   a, b, c  . . . with an appropriate torque. As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the wrench  10  is well suited for use with high density conductor configurations.  
         [0032]     The socket  20   c  slidably engages the nut or connector element such as  46   a - 1 ,  46   b - 1 ,  46   c - 1  . . . with the respective coaxial cable  46   a, b  . . . extending from the slot  14 - 2 . Handle  12  is rotated in the direction T to tighten the connector element or nut  46   a - 1 ,  45   b - 1 ,  46   c - 1  . . . onto the respective threaded member  42   a, b, c  . . . with the appropriate torque.  
         [0033]     Once the appropriate torque has been reached, the torque limiting mechanism including element  24 , surfaces  16   b  and surfaces  20   a - 1  disengage handle  12  from socket  20   c . The user at that point can remove the wrench  10  from the connector.  
         [0034]     Advantageously, the slot  14 - 2  of stem  14  and  20   c - 1  in socket  20   c  facilitate convenient and efficient disconnection of the wrench  10  from not only the nut or connector element  46   a - 1  but also from the respective RF cable such as  46   a . The T-shaped handle  12  makes it easy and convenient for the user to quickly tighten the threaded element  46   a - 1  onto the respective connector member, such as  42   a , without having to worry about exceeding the specified connecting torque.  
         [0035]     It will be understood that the wrench  10  can exhibit a plurality of different socket sizes and configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, none of the configuration of the connectors, such as the connector  42   a, b  . . . represent a limitation of the present invention. The slot need only extend through socket  20   c  if desired.  
         [0036]     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.