Abstract:
A torque wrench includes a solenoid driven release mechanism and a transceiver for wirelessly transmitting and receiving parameter set.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a tool system, and, more particularly, to a wireless tool system that includes one or more tools configured to communicate wirelessly with at least one other communication device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     One type of prior art torque wrench includes a rotatable handle to mechanically adjust the stiffness of a spring to adjust the desired torque set point of the torque wrench. In one such prior art torque wrench, mechanical components are configured to generate an audible click and to produce a power gap of several degrees of rotation of the tool handle that produces no rotation of the fastener being tightened, which signals the operator to stop applying torque to the fastener. 
     A torque wrench has been contemplated that includes electrical components to detect the applied torque and to signal the operator that the torque set point has been reached. The torque wrench may be set up for a data exchange with an external device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a wireless tool system configured in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a wireless torque wrench of the wireless tool system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the wireless torque wrench of the wireless tool system of  FIG. 1  in an orientation opposite to that of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  corresponds to the perspective view of the wireless torque wrench of  FIG. 3  with the intermediate housing removed to expose the controller circuit board and the battery pack. 
         FIG. 5  corresponds to the perspective view of the wireless torque wrench of  FIG. 2  with the intermediate housing, battery pack and the elongate handle tube removed to expose the cam mechanism and the electrically actuated release mechanism. 
         FIG. 6  is a sectioned perspective view of the torque wrench taken along plane 
         FIG. 7  is enlarged portion of the sectioned perspective view of  FIG. 6  that shows the cam mechanism in greater detail, in conjunction with a portion of the electrically actuated release mechanism. 
         FIG. 8  is enlarged portion of the sectioned perspective view of  FIG. 6  that shows the electrically actuated release mechanism in greater detail, in conjunction with a portion of the cam mechanism. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate an embodiment of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to the drawings and particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a wireless tool system  10  in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. 
     Wireless tool system  10  may be used, for example, to monitor and facilitate the tightening of fasteners. For example, the system may be used in the automotive industry for tracking the task of installing wheels on an automobile, or may be used in the oil industry to track the connecting of flanged pipes together in the oil fields. 
     Wireless tool system  10  includes a base network  12  and a low power wireless network  14 . 
     Base network  12  may be configured as an Ethernet network  12 - 1 , and may include a Wi-Fi node  12 - 2 . As shown for example in  FIG. 1 , base network  12  includes a server  16  and a bridge  18 . The wired Ethernet communication in base network  12  corresponds to the standardized IEEE 802.3 protocol. The wireless Wi-Fi communication in base network  12  is configured to operate using a wireless protocol based on IEEE 802.11. It is contemplated that the Wi-Fi node  12 - 2  may be incorporated into one of server  16  and bridge  18 , if desired, to serve as a Wi-Fi hotspot for base network  12 . 
     In the configuration as shown, server  16  may be a computer (e.g., desktop with monitor and keyboard, laptop, tablet, etc.) having at least one Ethernet port  16 - 1  and/or at least one wireless Wi-Fi port  16 - 2 . In practice, server  16  may be, for example, a customer point-of-sale terminal. Sever  16  is configured to provide a web browser to access the bridge  18  to create jobs and review job completion data. 
     Bridge  18  is configured as a gateway, or network hub, to communicate with both base network  12  and low power wireless network  14 , and is configured to facilitate communication between the wireless components of low power wireless network  14  (e.g., tools and portable communication devices) and the wired and/or wireless components of base network  12  (e.g., server  16 ). Thus, all communication between base network  12  and low power wireless network  14  will pass through bridge  18 . 
     Bridge  18  includes at least one Ethernet port  18 - 1  and/or at least one wireless Wi-Fi port  18 - 2 . Accordingly, communication between server  16  and bridge  18  in base network  12  may be facilitated by a wired Ethernet connection to Ethernet network  12 - 1 , or alternatively, may be facilitated wirelessly via Wi-Fi node  12 - 2 . Bridge  18  may provide a web interface for computer (e.g., server  16 ) users to create jobs and to review job completion data. 
     Low power wireless network  14  is configured to facilitate communication using a low power wireless network communications protocol, such as for example, the ZigBee protocol that builds upon the physical layer and medium access control defined in IEEE 802.15.4. Low power wireless network  14  includes one or more tools  20  and one or more portable communication devices  22 , also referred to herein as pucks  22 , individually identified as  22 - 1 ,  22 - 2 , each being configured for communication with bridge  18  and tools  20  via the low power wireless network communications protocol. In addition, each of tools  20  and pucks  22  may be configured to provide communication repeating capability, so as to be able to extend the overall communication range of low power wireless network  14  by serving as an intermediate signal repeater to bridge  18 . 
     In the configuration of  FIG. 1 , bridge  18  is configured with the ability to bridge information between server  16  of base network  12  and multiple potential recipients, e.g., tools  20  and pucks  22 , of low power wireless network  14 . 
     In wireless tool system  10 , the tools  20  may be, for example, a handheld torque wrench  20 - 1 , a pneumatic or battery powered heavy duty impact tool  20 - 2 , a light duty impact tool  20 - 3 , etc., and may further include a barcode scanner  20 - 4 . Each of the tools  20  is configured for wireless communication using the low power wireless network communications protocol, e.g., ZigBee. Using torque wrench  20 - 1  as an example, each of the tools  20  may include a display  24  and an input  26 , e.g., buttons or touch screen, so as to facilitate inputting information at the respective tool  20 , and to initiate communication between the respective tool  20  and a wireless device, e.g., bridge  18  and/or pucks  22 . The respective tool  20  is configured to send or receive communications with another device, such as indirectly with server  16  via bridge  18 , directly with bridge  18 , or directly with one or more of the pucks  22 . In general, tools  20  wirelessly receive and transmit selected parameter sets, such as job initiation data and job completion data. 
     Each of the portable communication devices (pucks)  22 - 1 ,  22 - 2 , is a small, portable, battery operated wireless terminal that includes a touch screen display providing input and display capability. Each of the pucks  22  includes a wireless communication transceiver and a processor that may include a microprocessor and associated memory, and includes programmed instructions to facilitate input, display and communication functions. For example, each puck  22 - 1 ,  22 - 2  includes a radio frequency (r.f.) transceiver, a processor unit, and all the interface items such as lights, buttons, a graphic display and audible alarm and/or voice generator required to communicate with the tools  20  and the bridge  18 , and directly to the puck operator. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , for example, puck  22 - 1  includes a main menu screen  28  that includes a “create job” icon  28 - 1 , a “list jobs” icon  28 - 2 , a “setting” icon  28 - 3 , and a “torque control” icon  28 - 4 . Each of the icons  28 - 1 ,  28 - 2 ,  28 - 3 ,  28 - 4 , as well as a user interface button pad  30  having control buttons, are linked as inputs to the microprocessor of the processor unit and when actuated are processed via the programmed instructions, so as to, for example, select a next screen associated with icons  28 - 1 ,  28 - 2 ,  28 - 3 ,  28 - 4 , or to navigate within a screen. When a selection is made which requires a wireless transmission from puck  22 - 1 , such wireless transmission occurs automatically. 
     The “create job” icon  28 - 1  may be used to open screens to start a new job, as an alternative to starting a new job at server  16 . 
     The “list jobs” icon  28 - 2  may be used to open screens to view the available jobs, or to modify, an existing job. 
     The “settings” icon  28 - 3  may be used to open screens to modify the operational settings of a particular tool  20 . 
     For a torque application, the “torque control” icon  28 - 4  may be used to set the torque at a desired target torque set point for handheld torque wrench  20 - 1 , for heavy duty impact tool  20 - 2 , or for light duty impact tool  20 - 3 , to be used on a particular job. Alternatively, or supplemental to torque control icon  28 - 4 , user interface button pad  30  may be used to manually enter torque information, e.g., the target (maximum) torque set point. 
     An exemplary automotive tire replacement job requiring a wheel re-installation will now be described to aid in understanding the operation of wireless tool system  10 , as a typical exemplary sequence of events. 
     Consider a scenario in which a customer buys a new tire at an automotive service store having wireless tool system  10  installed. After completing the service transaction, the point-of-sale computer (server  16 ) executes program instructions to generate a message which is sent to bridge  18  via one of Ethernet network  12 - 1  or Wi-Fi node  12 - 2 . Bridge  18  may be mounted, for example, on a wall or ceiling of the shop area where the tire is to be installed. The bridge  18  has the ability to distribute information between many operators e.g., automotive technicians, on the service floor of the shop (via tools  20  and pucks  22 ) and the point-of-sale computer (server  16 ). The message sent by server  16  contains an identifier, such as a license plate number, as well as a parameter set. The “parameter set” is a structured pattern that defines the tightening requirements for each fastener, e.g., lug nut. In the present example, the parameter set will be: the number of lug nuts per wheel (e.g., five), the torque setting to which each lug nut is to be tightened (e.g., 100 foot-pounds), the number of wheels to be serviced (e.g., one), and if less than all the wheels, then the wheel to be serviced (e.g., left rear). 
     Each operator, e.g., automotive technician, in the shop area is issued a respective puck  22 , and in this example the automotive technician will have been issued puck  22 - 1 . The automotive technician assigned to perform the current job operates the issued puck  22 - 1  to find the vehicle, e.g., by license plate number, by selecting the list jobs icon  28 - 2  to display the jobs on puck  22 - 1 . Once the job is associated with the proper vehicle in the shop, the automotive technician removes the designated wheel, and installs a new tire on the rim of the wheel. 
     It is noted that there are many tools  20  of various types and sizes in the shop. The automotive technician must select an appropriately sized tool  20  for the reinstallation of the wheel. Assume first that the automotive technician inappropriately selects a large 1000 ft lb impact tool  20 - 2  used for installing wheels on large commercial vehicles and presses the “Select Tool” button  26  on impact tool  20 - 2 . Impact tool  20 - 2  then identifies itself to puck  22 - 1 . Puck  22 - 1  compares the selected tool  20 - 2  with the job requirements and determines that impact tool  20 - 2  is inappropriate for the job. Puck  22 - 1  then sounds an audible alarm and generates a visual or audio message to indicate to the automotive technician that the selected impact tool  20 - 2  is an inappropriately sized tool for the job. 
     Now realizing the error, the automotive technician selects a different tool, this time a 50 to 200 ft-lb handheld torque wrench  20 - 1 . The automotive technician presses the “Select Tool” button  26  on torque wrench  20 - 1 , and torque wrench  20 - 1  then identifies itself to puck  22 - 1 . Puck  22 - 1  considers the tool selection and puck  22 - 1  determines that torque wrench  20 - 1  is appropriate for the job. Puck  22 - 1  may then generate a visual or audio message to indicate to the automotive technician that it is safe to proceed. 
     As each lug nut is tightened, torque data is transmitted from torque wrench  20 - 1  to puck  22 - 1 . When all of the lug nuts associated with the wheel have been properly tightened to the proper torque, puck  22 - 1  recognizes that the requirements of the parameter set have been achieved and uploads the data associated with the job to bridge  18 . Puck  22 - 1  may also generate a visual or audio message to indicate to the automotive technician that the job is complete. Bridge  18  then relays the job completion information back to the point-of-sale computer (server  16 ) over Ethernet  12 - 1  or Wi-Fi  12 - 2 , to generate a torque report for the job. 
     Server  16  may then add this information to a local database, which may be associated with the customer and the vehicle for future reference. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-8 , torque wrench  20 - 1  will be described in greater detail. 
     Referring first to  FIGS. 2-4 , torque wrench  20 - 1  includes a ratchet head  100 , an elongate handle tube  102 , an outer handle tube  104 , an electromechanical torque adjustment knob  106 , and an intermediate housing  108  arranged along a longitudinal axis  110 . Elongate handle tube  102  and outer handle tube  104  are coaxial, with a proximal end  102 - 1  of elongate handle tube  102  being inserted into a distal end  104 - 1  of outer handle tube  104 . Housing  108  includes a battery receptacle  108 - 1  configured to receive a rechargeable battery pack  112 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , housing  108  includes a window  108 - 2  that defines the location of a display screen  114 . 
     Ratchet head  100  has a standard square drive, and includes a shaft portion  100 - 1  that is received in a distal end portion  102 - 2  of elongate handle tube  102 . Ratchet head  100  is pivotably connected to distal end portion  102 - 2  near a distal end  102 - 3  of elongate handle tube  102  by a pin  116  that is oriented transverse to longitudinal axis  110 . Pin  116  passes through, e.g., by a press-fit, a set of aligned holes respectively formed in elongate handle tube  102  and ratchet head  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , torque wrench  20 - 1  is shown with housing  108  removed to expose a controller circuit board  118  to which display screen  114  is mounted. Display screen  114  may be in the form of a touch screen, and may include illuminators (e.g., LEDs  114 - 1 ), for providing visual feedback to the operator of torque wrench  20 - 1 . 
     Controller circuit board  118  is electrically connected to the battery pack  112 . Illustrated diagrammatically on controller circuit board  118  is a processing unit  120 , a communications unit  122 , a gyro unit  124 , and a sound generator  125  (e.g., beeper, voice generator, speaker, etc.), each of which being electrically powered by the battery pack  112 . Processing unit  120  is communicatively connected to each of communications unit  122 , gyro unit  124 , and sound generator  125 . It is additionally contemplated that torque wrench  20 - 1  may include a vibratory feedback device  123  also in electrical communication with processing unit  120 . 
     Gyro unit  124  provides tool orientation feedback data to processing unit  120 . The tool orientation feedback data may include, for example, an indication of the direction of rotation of handle tubes  102 ,  104  relative to ratchet head  100 , as well as the torque wrench rotation angle. 
     A strain gauge  126  is positioned along the longitudinal extent of outer handle tube  104  on an interior surface  104 - 2  of outer handle tube  104  at a desired location, such as for example near a mid-point  104 - 3  of outer handle tube  104 . Outer handle tube  104  serves as the handgrip location for the operator. Strain gauge  126  may be one of multiple strain gauges, configured to sense the torque that is delivered to ratchet head  100  from outer handle tube  104 , and provide an electrical strain output signal to processing unit  120  of controller circuit board  118 , which in turn processes the strain output signal and converts the strain value into a torque value, e.g., foot-pounds. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 1 , communications unit  122  is a transceiver having a radio frequency (r.f.) communications chip set configured to communicate via the low power wireless network  14 , e.g., ZigBee, with the pucks  22  or bridge  18  in a manner as described above, via data packets. Information received via communications unit  122  that is designated in the data packet as being directed to torque wrench  20 - 1  is then processed by processing unit  120 . Incoming data packets to communications unit  122  may include, for example, target torque set points, limits, and job sequence information. Outgoing data packets from communications unit  122  may include, for example, torque data, tool cycle status, etc., for the job performed. 
     Processing unit  120  may include, for example, a microprocessor and associated semiconductor memory and input/output (I/O) drivers, and may be in the form of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The I/O drivers of processing unit  120  are in electrical communication with the electromechanical torque adjustment knob  106 , with display screen  114 , gyro unit  124 , sound generator  125 , and strain gauge  126 . Processing unit  120  is configured to store any outgoing data until communication between communications unit  122  and one or more of the pucks  22 , or bridge  18 , is established. 
     Display screen  114  may be a touch screen to allow data input, or alternatively torque wrench  20 - 1  may utilize manual buttons  26 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to provide input, e.g., data selection, to processing unit  120 . For example, a desired torque value may be input to torque wrench  20 - 1  wirelessly via one of the pucks  22 , or alternatively, manually via the electromechanical torque adjustment knob  106 . The torque input then may be processed by processor unit  120  for display on display screen  114 . Torque information displayed on display screen  114  may include, for example, the instantaneous applied torque, the target (e.g., maximum) torque set point, etc. As an alternative to, or supplemental to, utilizing display screen  114  on torque wrench  20 - 1 , the torque information may be displayed on the user&#39;s puck  22 - 1 . 
     Referring also to  FIGS. 5-8 , the internal construction of torque wrench  20 - 1  will now be described. 
     Torque wrench  20 - 1  includes a cam mechanism  128  and an electrically actuated release mechanism  130 . Electrically actuated release mechanism  130  is configured to release cam mechanism  128  when the torque sensed by strain gauge  126  reaches the preset torque set point. Cam mechanism  128  is configured to provide an audible “click” and a “power gap” in a range of two to four degrees of rotation of the tool handle tubes  102 ,  104  during which there is no rotation of the fastener being tightened, so as to provide both an audible and tactile indication to the operator to stop applying torque to the fastener. 
     Cam mechanism  128  includes a T-shaped torque plunger  132 , a spring  134 , a ratchet head shaft insert  136 , and a rotation block  138 . T-shaped torque plunger  132  may be in the form of a bolt having a head  132 - 1  from which there longitudinally extends a shaft  132 - 2  having a threaded distal end. A spring  134  is positioned over shaft  132 - 2 , and is located between head  132 - 1  and the electrically actuated release mechanism  130 . Cam mechanism  128  further includes a ratchet head shaft insert  136  that is slidably disposed in an open proximal end  100 - 2  of shaft portion  100 - 1  of ratchet head  100 . Interposed between ratchet head shaft insert  136  and head  132 - 1  of T-shaped torque plunger  132  is a rotation block  138  having four flats. 
     Once a torque exerted on ratchet head  100  reaches the predetermined torque set point, the spring force exerted by spring  134  is overcome and the rotation block  138  is rotated off of its flats by a pivoting of shaft portion  100 - 1  of ratchet head  100  about pin  116 , thus permitting shaft portion  100 - 1  of ratchet head  100  to quickly pivot about pin  116  to be off-axis from longitudinal axis  110  at which time ratchet head shaft insert  136  strikes an inner surface  102 - 4  of elongate handle tube  102 , thereby generating a “click”. Also, a “power gap” is experienced by the torque wrench operator during the pivoting of the shaft portion  100 - 1  of ratchet head  100  from initially being on-axis with longitudinal axis  110  until the contact of ratchet head shaft insert  136  with the inner surface  102 - 4  of elongate handle tube  102 . Thus, rotation block  138  serves as a “torque bridge” to immediately rotate at the point that the target torque set point is achieved, thereby preventing a further torque increase, and facilitating a signaling to the operator that the target torque has been reached and that the operator should cease further application of increased torque. 
     A calibration assembly  139  is provided at the proximal end  104 - 4  of outer handle tube  104  for manually adjusting the stiffness of spring  134  through a pressure block  139 - 1  to a minimum “set threshold” via an adjusting screw  139 - 2 . This establishes the absolute minimum operating level of torque wrench  20 - 1  as well as defines an adequate reaction energy to cycle the cam mechanism  128  to reset rotation block  138  back to the home position (on flats as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) as the operator reduces the applied torque after a tightening cycle. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , the electrically actuated release mechanism  130  includes an electrically actuated solenoid  140  and a mechanical release assembly  142 . 
     Referring now particularly to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , electrically actuated solenoid  140  includes a solenoid housing  144  having a hollow coil core  146 . Positioned in the hollow coil core  146  is an actuator shaft or solenoid element  148 . Actuator shaft  148  has a proximal portion  148 - 1  and a distal portion  148 - 2  having a distal bore  148 - 3  and external threads  148 - 4 . Positioned over proximal portion  148 - 1  is a plurality of permanent magnets  149  and a proximal end cap  148 - 5 . A reset spring  150  is received in hollow coil core  146  to engage the proximal end cap  148 - 5  to bias actuator shaft  148  distally in distal direction D 1 . 
     A slide-hammer end cap  152  defines a primary bore  152 - 1  and a secondary bore  152 - 2 . Primary bore  152 - 1  defines a distal end wall  152 - 3  that radially extends between primary bore  152 - 1  and secondary bore  152 - 2 . Slide-hammer end cap  152  is threadably connected at a proximal portion  152 - 4  of slide-hammer end cap  152  to external threads  148 - 4  of distal portion  148 - 2  of actuator shaft  148 , with primary bore  152 - 1  of slide-hammer end cap  152  and distal bore  148 - 3  of actuator shaft  148  combining to form a slide-hammer chamber  153 . 
     Referring again also to  FIG. 7 , mechanical release assembly  142  includes a sleeve  154  that contains a forward cylinder  156  and a rearward cylinder  158 . A plurality of balls  160 , e.g., steel ball bearings, is disposed between forward cylinder  156  and rearward cylinder  158 . The present embodiment includes four balls  160  (only two show), but the number of balls  160  may be three or more, depending on the size of the torque wrench. Forward cylinder  156  has a proximal end  156 - 1  that defines a beveled contact surface for engaging balls  160 . Also, rearward cylinder  158  has distal end  158 - 1  that defines a beveled contact surface for engaging balls  160 . Movably disposed within and extending between forward cylinder  156  and rearward cylinder  158  is a release rod assembly  162 . 
     Release rod assembly  162  includes, as an elongate unitary assembly, a distal piston  162 - 1 , a tapered mandrel portion or release assembly tapered element  162 - 2  (forming a wedge), a proximal piston  162 - 3 , a shaft extension  162 - 4  and a side-hammer head  162 - 5 . Tapered mandrel portion  162 - 2  is interposed between distal piston  162 - 1  and proximal piston  162 - 3 , with the taper narrowing in the direction toward distal piston  162 - 1  to define a recessed landing  162 - 6 . 
     Thus, in the configuration as shown, as release rod assembly  162  is biased by spring  150  in distal direction D 1 , the balls  160  are radially outwardly extended by riding up the ramp provided by tapered mandrel portion  162 - 2  to a steady state radial position at the intersection of the tapered mandrel portion  162 - 2  and proximal piston  162 - 3 . As such, the balls  160  are forced radially outwardly to be positioned between the beveled proximal end  156 - 1  of forward cylinder  156  and the beveled distal end  158 - 1  of rearward cylinder  158 , thereby separating the beveled proximal end  156 - 1  of forward cylinder  156  and the beveled distal end  158 - 1  of rearward cylinder  158 . 
     Slide-hammer head  162 - 5  of release rod assembly  162  is positioned in slide-hammer chamber  153  formed by the primary bore  152 - 1  of slide-hammer end cap  152  and distal bore  148 - 3  of actuator shaft  148  of the electrically actuated solenoid  140 . Shaft extension  162 - 4  of release rod assembly  162  extends distally from slide-hammer head  162 - 5  and passes through the secondary bore  152 - 2  of slide-hammer end cap  152 , such that slide-hammer head  162 - 5  of release rod assembly  162  is movable axially within slide-hammer chamber  153 , yet is axially retrained within slide-hammer chamber  153 . 
     A distal end of shaft extension  162 - 4  is connected with the proximal end of proximal piston  162 - 3 , and thus projects slide-hammer head  162 - 5  a distance from the proximal piston  162 - 3 , such that side-hammer head  162 - 5  is positioned at the proximal extent of distal bore  148 - 3  of slide-hammer chamber  153 . Spring  150  bias actuator shaft  148  in distal direction D 1 , which in turn forces proximal piston  162 - 3  forward to ensure that balls  160  separate forward cylinder  156  and rearward cylinder  158  prior to a target torque set point being reached. 
     During operation of torque wrench  20 - 1 , as torque is being applied by the operator to outer handle tube  104 , the strain gauge(s)  126  send instantaneous torque level information to processing unit  120 , where an instantaneous torque value is generated and compared to the target torque set point contained in the parameter set that previously was either wirelessly transmitted to torque wrench  20 - 1  by one of the pucks  22  or input directly to torque wrench  20 - 1  via electromechanical torque adjustment knob  106 . When the instantaneous torque value equals the target torque set point, processing unit  120  sends an energizing signal to hollow coil core  146  to energize electrically actuated solenoid  140 . 
     Thus, in accordance with the arrangement of electrically actuated release mechanism  130  described above, when solenoid  140  is energized (e.g., by a momentary electrical pulse having a duration of one millisecond or less) the hollow coil core  146  generates a magnetic field which in turn acts on permanent magnets  149  to swiftly retract actuator shaft  148  in proximal direction D 2 . In turn, actuator shaft  148  axially displaces slide-hammer end cap  152  in a slide-hammer-type fashion such that distal end wall  152 - 3  of slide-hammer end cap  152  abruptly impacts side-hammer head  162 - 5  of release rod assembly  162  to axially displace tapered mandrel portion  162 - 2 , thereby radially releasing balls  160  such that balls  160  escape from between forward cylinder  156  and rearward cylinder  158 . The escape of balls  160  from between forward cylinder  156  and rearward cylinder  158  in turn allows proximal end  156 - 1  of forward cylinder  156  to abruptly move in proximal direction D 2  toward distal end  158 - 1  of rearward cylinder  158 . This action in turn releases rotation block or element  138  of cam mechanism  128  to rotate, so as to facilitate generation of a loud audible “click” and a “power gap” associated with reaching the target torque set point, thereby signaling to the operator that the target torque has been reached and to suspend adding torque to the current fastener. 
     When the torque being applied by the operator to outer handle tube  104  is released, release rod assembly  162  is biased by spring  150  in the distal direction D 1 , at which time the balls  160  are radially displaced outwardly by riding up the ramp provided by tapered mandrel portion  162 - 2  to the steady state radial position at the intersection of the tapered mandrel portion  162 - 2  and proximal piston  162 - 3 . As such, the balls  160  are forced radially outwardly to be positioned between the beveled proximal end  156 - 1  of forward cylinder  156  and the beveled distal end  158 - 1  of rearward cylinder  158 , thereby separating the beveled proximal end  156 - 1  of forward cylinder  156  and the beveled distal end  158 - 1  of rearward cylinder  158 , and thus resetting torque wrench  20 - 1  to be ready for the next torque operation. 
     Torque and angle data collected by processing unit  120  during that tool cycle is then transmitted wirelessly via communications unit  122  of torque wrench  20 - 1  and low power wireless network  14  to the associated puck(s)  22 , e.g., one of puck  22 - 1  or puck  22 - 2 . At the completion of the job, the associated puck  22  then wirelessly transfers the job information via low power wireless network  14  to bridge  18 , which in turn transfers the job data via base network  12  to server  16  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Thus, advantageously, the present invention provides a wireless tool system, and facilitates entry and exchange of tool information via wireless communication. Also, the wireless torque wrench is configured to electronically momentarily release the applied torque to generate the audible click and the power gap thus indicating that the target torque set point has been reached. 
     While this invention has been described with respect to an embodiment of the invention, the present invention may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.