Patent Publication Number: US-9899787-B2

Title: Apparatus and methods for connecting and disconnecting threaded connectors

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to apparatus and methods that may be used to connect and disconnect threaded connectors and, more particularly, to apparatus and methods that may be used to connect threaded connectors to threaded fittings and to disconnect threaded connectors from threaded fittings. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Threaded connectors are used for connecting radio frequency (RF) coaxial cables to mating stationary RF connectors. Examples of such threaded RF coaxial connectors include hex F compression connectors, Subminiature version A (SMA) connectors, reverse polarity SMA (RSMA) connectors, Subminiature version C (SMC) connectors, and SSMA connectors. Often multiple RF coaxial cables are connected to stationary RF connectors in adjacent relationship to each other. Open-ended wrenches have been used in the past to engage and turn a threaded RF connector relative to a corresponding stationary threaded fitting so as to connect or disconnect the RF connector and its RF coaxial cable from the stationary RF fitting. Where multiple threaded connectors and fittings are engaged next to each other, the range of motion of an open-end wrench to rotate a given connector is physically limited by the presence of adjacent connectors and RF coaxial lines. Thus, when connecting and disconnecting threaded RF coaxial electrical connectors in close adjacent relationship to each other, an open-end wrench often can often only be rotated by about ⅓ of a turn at time due to interference from adjacent connected RF coaxial cables. Range of motion of an open-ended wrench can also be limited in other hard to access locations. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein are apparatus and methods that may be employed to engage and rotate threaded connectors, e.g., so as to connect a threaded connector to a corresponding threaded fitting and/or to disconnect a threaded connector from a corresponding threaded fitting. Examples of such connectors include, but are not limited to, threaded connectors configured to couple electrical or electronic cables (e.g., threaded RF coaxial cable connectors) to corresponding electrical or electronic fittings, threaded tubing connectors configured to couple tubing (e.g., hydraulic tubing, pneumatic tubing, fuel injection tubing) to threaded tubing fittings, etc. Advantageously, the disclosed apparatus and methods may be employed in one embodiment to engage and rotate threaded connectors relative to threaded fittings to install the connectors to the fittings and remove the connectors from the fittings in hard to access locations, e.g., such as in locations where threaded connectors and fittings are engaged next to each other in close spaced relationship. The disclosed apparatus and methods may be employed to install and/or remove threaded connectors in reduced time relative to conventional methods and apparatus. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a connection and disconnection tool apparatus may be provided that is configured to install or remove a threaded connector (e.g., threaded electrical or electronic coaxial connector, threaded tubing connector, etc.) together with an attached cable or tubing to a corresponding threaded fitting in a hard to access location by allowing the attached cable or tubing to pass through an open pass-through area defined to extend through the tool so as to allow the threaded connector to be tightened and/or loosened relative to the fitting by turning the connector a full revolution or more while the cable or tubing is attached to the connector and extending through the tool. Such a connection and disconnection apparatus may be advantageously configured in one embodiment to be operated by a user from a remote location or position that provides greater user access during operation of the tool. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a connection and disconnection tool may be provided that has an offset drive mechanism that rotationally couples a user-side axis of rotation to a connector-side axis of rotation so as to allow a user to provide an input rotational motion (e.g., by rotating a handle) to the user-side axis of rotation that is translated by the offset drive mechanism to an output rotational motion from the connector-side axis of rotation, e.g., to rotate a threaded connector one or more full revolutions (by 360 degrees or more) at the same time that a cable or tubing segment is extending through the tool in a position that is coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation, and without any mechanical interference between the cable or tubing segment and the tool as the threaded connector is rotated, e.g., without any winding of an attached cable around rotating parts of the tool and without any mechanical binding between of an attached tubing and rotating parts of the tool. The offset drive mechanism may include, for example, drive gears configured to translate rotation motion between a user-side axis of rotation that is parallel to a connector-side axis of rotation. 
     In one embodiment, a user-side drive interface (e.g., such as a rotatable handle or fitting for mating with a power drive such as electric screwdriver or electric drill) may be provided to allow a user to input rotational motion to the user-side axis of rotation. In another embodiment, an integral actuator (e.g., electric motor, pneumatic actuator, hydraulic actuator, etc.) may be provided as an integral part of the tool so as to impart drive motion without need for external drive to be applied to the tool. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a connector connection and disconnection tool may be configured to extend outward and away from the location of the connector so as to allow a user to operate the tool to rotate the connector while the user remains at a distance spaced away from the connector where the user may have greater access to manipulate or otherwise apply rotational drive motion to the user-side drive interface, e.g., such as where multiple adjacent connectors are grouped together in close proximity in a manner that would otherwise interfere with engaging and/or rotating the connector. In this regard, a user-side drive interface component may be elongated to impart spacing between the offset drive mechanism and a terminal end of the user-side drive interface component, and/or a connector-side drive interface component may be elongated to impart spacing between the offset drive mechanism and a terminal end of the user-side drive interface component when the connector-side drive interface component is engaged to rotate the connector. For example, a user-side drive interface component may be configured as an elongated handle or other suitable type of elongated user-side drive component so as to create a space between the offset drive mechanism and the user while the user is operating the tool. Likewise, a connector-side drive interface component may be configured to include an elongated portion in the form of a spacer segment that extends along the connector-side axis of rotation in a direction away from the offset drive mechanism and toward the connector so as to create a space between the offset drive mechanism and the connector. 
     In one exemplary embodiment, a connector-side drive interface component may be configured as a first spanner that is configured with one or more connector engagement features to lockingly engage the exterior flat surfaces of a threaded connector so as to hold the threaded connector as the first spanner is rotated by an offset drive mechanism and thus impart rotation to the threaded connector. The first spanner of the connector-side drive interface component may be coupled to the offset drive mechanism by a first spacer segment as either a single-piece or multiple-piece connector-side drive interface component. The first spanner, offset drive mechanism and the first spacer segment may be provided with respective side-accessible open pass-through areas that are aligned with each other to allow an attached cable or tubing to be inserted into engagement with the first spanner, offset drive mechanism and the first spacer segment to a position that is coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation. In one exemplary embodiment, a modular connector-side drive interface may be provided, e.g., the first spanner together with its first spacer segment (when present) may be provided as a modular connector-side drive interface component that is removable from the offset drive mechanism so that interchangeable connector-side drive interface components (e.g., first spanner components) of different dimensions to lockingly engage threaded members having different outside dimensions and/or shapes. 
     In a further embodiment, an optional backup interface component may be provided that is configured to lockingly engage the exterior flat surfaces of an underlying backup fastener that is positioned adjacent and in-line with the threaded connector (e.g., that is threaded on the same threaded member) so as to prevent the backup fastener from rotating while the threaded connector is being rotated by the connector-side drive interface component. A backup interface component may be configured in one embodiment as a second spanner that is configured with one or more connector engagement features to lockingly engage the exterior flat surfaces of a backup fastener so as to hold the backup fastener stationary as the first spanner is rotated by an offset drive mechanism. 
     A backup interface component may in one embodiment include a second spanner that is coupled by a second spacer segment to a housing or other structure that supports or houses the offset drive mechanism. Such a second spacer segment may be configured to position the second spacer into locking engagement with the backup fastener while the first spanner is positioned in locking engagement with the threaded connector. In one exemplary embodiment, the second spacer and its second spanner may be configured to pivot outward and away from the first spacer and its first spanner to facilitate ease of installation and removal of the first spanner in locking engagement with the threaded connector. In another exemplary embodiment, the second spacer and its second spanner may be configured to rotate around the connector-side axis of rotation relative to the offset drive mechanism, e.g., in order to match the clocking of a threaded backup nut or other fastener that may be positioned in-line and beneath the threaded connector. 
     In one respect, disclosed herein is a connection and disconnection tool apparatus, including: an offset drive mechanism configured to mechanically translate rotational motion from a user-side axis of rotation to a connector-side axis of rotation, the user-side axis of rotation being different than the connector-side axis of rotation; a user-side drive interface component configured to be coupled to provide an input rotational motion to the user-side axis of rotation of the offset drive mechanism; and a connector-side drive interface component having one or more connector engagement features and configured to be coupled to receive an output rotational motion from the connector-side axis of rotation of the offset drive mechanism and to rotate in response to the received output rotational motion. The connector-side drive interface component and the offset drive mechanism may each have a side-accessible pass-through area defined therein that includes a peripheral opening contiguous with an axial open portion that is coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation, the pass-through area of the connector-side drive interface component being configured to be aligned with the pass-through area of the offset drive mechanism. 
     In another respect, disclosed herein is a method of rotating a threaded connector having an attached cable or tubing segment, including: lockingly engaging a connector-side drive interface component of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus to the threaded connector having one or more connector engagement features; rotating a user-side drive interface component of the connection and disconnection tool apparatus to provide an input rotational motion to a user-side axis of rotation of an offset drive mechanism of the connection and disconnection tool apparatus; mechanically translating rotational motion in the offset drive mechanism from the user-side axis of rotation to a connector-side axis of rotation, the user-side axis of rotation being different than the connector-side axis of rotation; and receiving an output rotational motion from the connector-side axis of rotation of the offset drive mechanism to cause the connector-side drive interface component to rotate the threaded connector in response to the received output rotational motion. The method may further include: placing the attached cable or tubing segment of the threaded connector into a position coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation within an axial open portion of a side-accessible pass-through area defined in the connector-side drive interface component and an axial open portion of a side-accessible pass-through area defined in the offset drive mechanism by passing the attached cable or tubing segment through a respective peripheral opening that is contiguous with the axial open portion of each of the side-accessible pass-through areas of each of the connector-side drive interface component and the offset drive mechanism, the pass-through area of the connector-side drive interface component being aligned with the pass-through area of the offset drive mechanism; and causing the connector-side drive interface component to rotate the threaded connector in response to the received output rotational motion while the cable or tubing segment is received in the position coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation within the side-accessible pass-through openings of the connector-side drive interface component and the offset drive mechanism. 
     In another respect, disclosed herein is a connection and disconnection tool apparatus, including: an offset drive mechanism configured to mechanically translate rotational motion from a user-side axis of rotation to a connector-side axis of rotation, the user-side axis of rotation being different than the connector-side axis of rotation; a user-side drive interface component including a first spanner coupled to provide an input rotational motion to the user-side axis of rotation of the offset drive mechanism, the first spanner having interior connector engagement surfaces defined therein, the first spanner being aligned with the connector-side axis of rotation, and the interior connector engagement surfaces being shaped and dimensioned complementary to one or more external surfaces of a threaded connector; and a connector-side drive interface component having one or more connector engagement features and coupled to receive an output rotational motion from the connector-side axis of rotation of the offset drive mechanism and to rotate in response to the received output rotational motion. The connector-side drive interface component may further include a first spacer segment coupled between the offset drive mechanism and the first spanner, the first spacer segment being coupled to receive the output rotational motion from the connector-side axis of rotation of the offset drive mechanism and to transfer the output rotational motion to the first spacer. The connector-side drive interface component and the offset drive mechanism may each have a side-accessible pass-through area defined therein that includes a peripheral opening contiguous with an axial open portion that is coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation, the pass-through area of the connector-side drive interface component being aligned with the pass-through area of the offset drive mechanism. The connector engagement features of the connector-side drive interface may be configured to lockingly engage an exterior profile of a threaded connector so as to hold the threaded connector as the connector-side drive interface is rotated by the rotational motion received from the offset drive mechanism so as to impart rotation to the threaded connector while a cable or tubing segment that is attached to the threaded connector is received in a position coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation within the side-accessible pass-through openings of the connector-side drive interface component and the offset drive mechanism. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view of a portion of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of an offset drive mechanism and modular spanner component according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 9A  illustrates a connection and disconnection tool apparatus lockingly engaged with a first threaded connection according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 9B  illustrates a connection and disconnection tool apparatus in a positioned between a first threaded connection and a second threaded connection according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
         FIG. 9C  illustrates a connection and disconnection tool apparatus lockingly engaged with a second threaded connection according to one exemplary embodiment of the disclosed apparatus and methods. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1-2  illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  that includes an offset drive mechanism  106  that rotationally couples a user-side drive interface component in the form of a rotatable handle  104  and handle extension member  102  to a connector-side drive interface component that in this embodiment includes a first spacer segment  108  and a first spanner  112  provided on a distal end of the connector-side drive interface. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-2 , the user-side drive interface component extends along a user-side axis of rotation  110  and the connector-side drive interface component extends along a connector-side axis of rotation  120  as shown. Overall length of each of a user-side drive interface component and connector-side drive interface component may be selected to provide a desired stand-off distance from a threaded connector. As shown, user-side axis of rotation  110  may be parallel to connector-side axis of rotation  120 , although it is also possible that user-side axis of rotation  110  may be angled and/or adjustable relative to connector-side axis of rotation  120  for facilitating access to a threaded connector, e.g., such as by providing a universal joint or other type of adjustable-angled connection/s in-line with the axis of rotation of either or both of the user-side drive interface component and connector-side drive interface component. 
     As described further herein, offset drive mechanism  106  rotationally couples the user-side axis of rotation  110  to the connector-side axis of rotation  120  of tool  100  so as to allow a user to provide an input rotational motion to the user-side axis of rotation  110  that is translated by the offset drive mechanism  106  to an output rotational motion from the connector-side axis of rotation  120 . In one embodiment a human user may hold the offset drive mechanism  106  stationary with one hand, while using the other hand to input rotational motion to the user-side axis of rotation, in this embodiment by rotating handle  104  and extension member  102 . 
     In the exploded view of the embodiment of  FIG. 2 , internal drive gears  125  of offset drive mechanism  106  are visible beneath an optional drive mechanism cover  199  that is shown detached from offset drive mechanism  106  after removal of cover-retaining fasteners  193  (e.g., screws) from fastener holes  197 . In the illustrated embodiment the internal drive gears  125  are configured as a gear system to translate rotation motion between the user-side axis of rotation  110  to the connector-side axis of rotation  120 , although any other configuration of drive mechanism components (e.g., such as gear systems having other combinations of gears and/or belt and pulleys rotatably connecting the user-side axis of rotation  110  to the connector-side axis of rotation  120 ) may be employed in other embodiments. Moreover, an offset drive mechanism may be configured to provide rotation to a connector-side drive interface component relative to a user-side drive interface component in any suitable ratio. For example, offset drive mechanism may be configured to provide a 1:1 ratio (one full turn of user-side drive interface component is translated to one full turn of connector-side drive interface component) or to provide any other suitable greater or lesser ratio, e.g., such as 0.5:1 ratio (one-half turn of user-side drive interface component is translated to one full turn of connector-side drive interface component), 1:0.5 ratio (one full turn of user-side drive interface component is translated to one-half turn of connector-side drive interface component), etc. 
     As further illustrated in exploded view of  FIG. 2 , a user-side drive interface component may be optionally configured in one embodiment to be detachable from offset drive mechanism  106  and may include mating drive features  150 , e.g., in the form of flat surfaces or other suitable features defined on the terminal end of handle extension member  102  that are dimensioned and configured to engage complementary mating drive features  129  defined within a drive receptacle  127  of offset drive mechanism  106  in order transmit drive motion from the user-side drive interface component to the offset drive mechanism  106 . In such an optional configuration, a user-side drive interface component may be so removable to allow more compact storage and/or better ease of installation in situations where space is limited. Moreover, provision of mating drive features  129  defined within a drive receptacle  127  of offset drive mechanism  106  may optionally allow for selection and interchanging of different user-side drive interface components, e.g., rotatable handle, motor-driven rotating shank of a power tool such as electric drill or electric screw driver, etc. 
     As further shown in  FIGS. 1-2 , first spanner  112  is provided with an open area  194  for receiving a threaded connector therein and interior connector engagement features in the form of surfaces or profile defined within the open area that are configured to mate with and lockingly engage the exterior flat surfaces of a threaded connector so as to hold the threaded connector while the first spanner  112  is rotated by the offset drive mechanism  106  so as to impart rotation to an engaged threaded connector. In this regard first spanner  112  may be provide with any configuration of interior engagement surfaces that is suitable for engaging exterior surfaces of a threaded connector, including threaded connectors having one or more flat exterior surfaces or other shape or configuration of exterior surfaces. In this regard, interior connector engagement surfaces of a first spanner  112  may be of any suitable configuration for lockingly engaging exterior surfaces of a corresponding threaded connector, e.g., such as having a profile similar to an open-end wrench or socket that is complementary in shape and size or dimension to the outer flat surfaces of a threaded connector. Still referring to  FIGS. 1-2 , the first spanner  112  is coupled in this embodiment to the offset drive mechanism  106  by the spacer segment  108 . It will be understood that a first spacer segment  108  is optional, and that in another embodiment a first spanner  112  may alternatively be coupled directly to offset drive mechanism  106  with no spacer segment  108  therebetween. Example of types of threaded connectors for which a first spanner  112  may be configured to lockingly engage include, but are not limited to, threaded RF coaxial connectors (e.g., such as Hex F, SMA, RSMA, SMC, SSMA connectors); oxygen sensor connectors, hydraulic tubing connectors (e.g., such as brake line connectors) or pneumatic tubing connectors, etc. 
     As illustrated, the spacer segment  108 , the offset drive mechanism  106 , and the first spanner  112  may be provided with corresponding respective side-accessible open pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194  that each have a peripheral (or side) opening that is contiguous with an axial open portion. As shown, the respective peripheral openings and axial open portions of pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194  may be aligned with each other so as to allow a cable or tubing together with an attached threaded connector to be inserted from the side until the threaded connector is positioned in locking engagement with the first spanner  112 , with the attached cable or tubing  910  extending coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation  120  through the spacer segment  108  and the offset drive mechanism  106  as shown in  FIG. 9A  while the offset drive mechanism rotates the first spanner  112  and spacer segment  108 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first spanner  112  may be optionally provided together with its first spacer segment  108  (when optionally present) as a modular connector-side interface component  165  that is removable from the offset drive mechanism so that different modular connector-side interface components  165  having different size and/or shape first spanner components  112  may be interchanged within a rotatable spanner module receptacle  115  that may be defined in offset drive mechanism  106 , e.g., by inserting and locking a given modular connector-side interface component  165  in place within rotatable spanner receptacle  115 . The different first spanner components  112  of such interchangeable spanner module components  165  may be configured with internal connector engagement surfaces of different dimensions from each other so as to lockingly engage threaded connector members having different outside dimensions and/or shapes. In the illustrated embodiment, a modular component  165  may be inserted into receptacle  115  of offset drive mechanism  106  from below with a locating shoulder  183  provided on modular component  165  to prevent upwards over-travel of modular component  165 . In such an embodiment modular component may be temporarily locked within rotatable receptacle  115  via a snap ring  187  of receptacle  115  that is received within a mating groove  181  of modular component  165  as shown in cross-section in  FIG. 6 . A proximal end of modular connector-side interface component  165  may include an optional extension segment  185  that protrudes above the top of offset drive mechanism  106  to allow modular component  165  to be manually pushed downward by the hand or fingers of a user to disengage modular component  165  for removal from locking engagement within receptacle  115 . 
     In another embodiment, interchangeable first spanner components  112  may be alternatively provided to attach and detach from the terminal or distal end of a separate first spacer segment  108 , while spacer segment  108  remains engaged within rotatable receptacle  115  of offset drive mechanism  106 . In any case, it will be understood that a modular component  165 , spacer segment  108 , and/or spanner component  112  may be temporarily or permanently locked within rotatable receptacle  115  via any suitable securement mechanism e.g., via mating threads, mating pin and groove features, mating snap-on spring and groove features, mating pin and hole features, etc. 
     In a further embodiment, an optional backup interface component in the form of a second spanner  130  disposed on an optional second spacer segment  132  may be provided as shown. As illustrated, such a second spacer segment  132  may be provided to extend from offset drive mechanism  106  in adjacent relationship to a first spacer segment  108  and first spanner  112  so that second spanner  130  is positioned at a distal end  174  of connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  in position to lockingly engage and hold stationary the exterior flat surfaces of a backup fastener (e.g., threaded backup nut or other type fastener) that that may be positioned adjacent and in-line with a threaded connector so as to prevent the backup fastener from rotating while the threaded connector is being rotated by the first spanner  112  during threaded connector installation or removal. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a second spacer segment  132  may be optionally configured to pivot (e.g., around a pivot point  136 ) together with its second spanner  130  in a direction outward and away from an adjacent first spacer segment  108  and its first spanner  112  so as to facilitate ease of installation and removal of the first spanner  112  in locking engagement with a threaded connector as shown by the arrows. As further shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , an optional hand grip  134  may be provided on second spacer segment  132  in position to allow a user&#39;s hand to manipulate and pivot second spacer  132  and second spanner  130  around pivot point  136 . 
     In a further exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , such a second spacer segment  132  may be optionally configured to rotate together with its second spanner  130  relative to offset drive mechanism  106  and connector-side drive interface component (e.g., first spanner  112  and first spacer segment  108 ) in order to match the clocking of a threaded backup nut or other fastener that may be positioned in-line and beneath the threaded connector. For example, in the illustrated embodiment second spacer segment  132  may be coupled to rotate within a groove  137  that may be defined in offset drive mechanism for this purpose. In a further possible embodiment, a spacer segment locking opening  131  may be defined within an upper portion of second spacer segment  132  in a position configured to align beneath drive receptacle  127  of offset drive mechanism  106  such that a terminal or distal end  133  of handle extension member  102  may be inserted through drive receptacle  127  into spacer segment locking opening  131  so as to lock rotatable second spacer segment  132  in place while rotating an engaged threaded connector. When rotation of second spacer segment  132  is desired relative to offset drive mechanism  106 , handle extension member  102  may be raised within drive receptacle  127  (or removed from drive receptacle  127  completely) so that handle extension member  102  is no longer received within spacer segment locking opening  131  and second spacer segment  132  is allowed to rotate. In one embodiment, an optional shoulder and/or eternal profile shape transition  121  may be provided as shown to limit insertion distance of handle extension member  102  into drive receptacle  127 . Alternatively, spacer segment locking opening  131  may have a bottom surface or internal profile configured to provide mechanical interference to limit insertion distance of handle extension member  102  into spacer segment locking opening  131  and/or to prevent handle extension member  102  from extending completely through spacer segment locking opening  131 . 
     In one exemplary embodiment, an assembled length of a user-side drive interface component (e.g., including rotatable handle  104  and handle extension member  102 ) as measured from proximal end  170  of the user-side drive interface component to an attached offset drive mechanism  106  may be from about 2 inches to about 12 inches, and an assembled length of a connector-side drive interface component (e.g., including first spanner  112  and spacer segment  108 ) as measured from distal end  172  of the connector-side drive interface component to the attached offset drive mechanism  106  may be from about 1 inches to about 8 inches, it being understood that greater and lesser lengths of user-side drive interface components and/or connector-side drive interface components are also possible. In another exemplary embodiment, a total assembled end-to-end length of a connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  as measured from a proximal end of the user-side drive interface component to a distal end  174  of optional connector-side locking component may be from about 4 inches to about 21 inches. However, it will be understood that total assembled end-to-end length of a connection and disconnection tool  100  may alternatively be greater than about 21 inches or less than about 4 inches in other embodiments. 
     A connector-side drive interface component may be provided in one exemplary embodiment with one or more optional cable or tubing retention features to retain a segment of cable or tubing within side-accessible open pass-through area/s (e.g., such as pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194 ) while an attached threaded connector is lockingly engaged and rotated by a first spanner such as the illustrated first spanner  112 . Referring to the exemplary embodiment of the Figures, two cable or tubing retention features are provided in the form of respective C-shaped leaf spring members  111  and  109  (e.g., bendable steel, plastic, etc.) that each have a retainer opening defined between a pair of spreadable jaws  109   a  and  109   b  or jaws  111   a  and  111   b  (shown in profile in  FIGS. 7-8 ) that is aligned with a peripheral opening of pass-through area  190  so as to allow a segment of cable or tubing  910  shown in  FIGS. 9A-9C  to be inserted from the side between the jaw pairs  109   a / 109   b  and  111   a / 111   b  into the axial open portion of pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194  in coincident (e.g., substantially parallel) relationship to the connector-side axis of rotation  120  to allow the first spacer segment  108  to rotate around the inserted cable or tubing segment  910  while the first spanner  112  lockingly engages and rotates an attached threaded connector  980 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the unspread (or relaxed) distance between each pair of jaws  109   a / 109   b  and  111   a / 111   b  is configured to be slightly less than the outside diameter of a cable or tubing segment  910  to be inserted into open pass-through area/s of the connector-drive interface component such that jaws each pair of jaws  109   a / 109   b  and  111   a / 111   b  may be spread slightly apart to admit the cable or tubing segment  910  into pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194  such as is illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9C . However, once a cable or tubing segment  910  is so inserted through jaws  109   a / 109   b  and  111   a / 111   b  into pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194 , each pair of jaws  109   a / 109   b  and  111   a / 111   b  may be allowed to relax or spring back together so that the relaxed jaws retain the cable or tubing segment  910  within open pass-through areas  190 ,  192  and  194  while the first spacer segment  108  is rotated the around a segment of cable or tubing  910 . As shown in  FIG. 9A  this rotation occurs while spanner  112  lockingly engages the first given threaded connector  908  so as to rotate the threaded connector  908  while the segment of cable or tubing  910  extends end-to-end through the entire length of the rotating connector-side components of tool  100  in a position coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation  120 , e.g., through each of the pass-through areas of the spacer segment  108  and the offset drive mechanism  106  so as to emerge out the proximal end of extension segment  185  of modular connector-side interface component  165  in the illustrated embodiment. In this assembled relationship, first spacer segment  108  and first spanner  112  may be freely rotated by one or more full revolutions while cable or tubing segment  910  is held clear and retained by relaxed jaw pairs  109   a / 109   b  and  111   a / 111   b  from any interference with the rotation of first spacer segment  108 , extension segment  185  and first spanner  112 , e.g., without any winding of an attached cable segment  910  around these rotating parts of tool  100 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a sectional view AA taken along the line indicated in  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  with drive mechanism cover  199  and rotatable handle  104 /handle extension member  102  removed to expose internal drive gears  125  of offset drive mechanism  106 . 
       FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate operation of connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  to tighten and/or loosen successive multiple adjacent threaded connectors  908  that extend in close adjacent spaced relationship from a panel  902 , e.g., a connector array having individual threaded connectors  908  spaced apart by about ½ inches to about 1 inches from each other or spaced apart by any other suitable greater or lesser distance particular to a given application. As shown, each of threaded connectors  908  are threaded onto a respective threaded connector assembly  904  that includes a threaded stud that extends from panel  902 , with a threaded backup nut  906  beneath each threaded connector  908  that may be present to remain fixed to hold each threaded stud in stationary tightened condition. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, rotatable handle  104  and handle extension member  102  of the user-side drive interface component may be manually rotated by a user&#39;s hand to provide an input rotational motion along the user-side axis of rotation  110  that is translated by the offset drive mechanism  106  to an output rotational motion imparted to the first spanner  112  via first spacer segment  108  (when present) of the connector-side interface component along the connector-side axis of rotation  120  as illustrated by the double-sided arrows in  FIG. 9A . As shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 9A , first spanner  112  may rotate by one or more full revolutions in either direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) together with its first spacer segment  108  around a segment of cable or tubing  910  that is attached to a first given threaded connector  908  that is engaged by the first spanner  112 . As shown in  FIG. 9A  this rotation occurs while spanner  112  lockingly engages the first given threaded connector  908  while the segment of cable or tubing  910  extends coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation  120  through the spacer segment  108  and the offset drive mechanism  106 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9B , connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  may then be removed by a user from engagement with the first given threaded connector  908 , e.g., by pivoting second spacer segment  132  and its second spanner  130  outward about pivot point  136  as shown to facilitate ease of removal of the first spanner  112  from locking engagement with threaded connector  908 . 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 9C , connection and disconnection tool apparatus  100  may then be moved to a second and different one of threaded connectors  908  and positioned so that interior surfaces of first spanner  112  are lockingly engaged with the exterior flat surfaces of second given threaded connector  908  with a segment of cable or tubing  910  attached to the second given threaded connector  908  extending coincident with the connector-side axis of rotation  120  through the spacer segment  108  and the offset drive mechanism  106 . This may be done depending on the amount of installation space available around a given threaded connector  908 , for example, by placement from the top directly over the second threaded connector  908  and its attached segment of cable or tubing  910 , or by insertion from the side on to the second threaded connector  908  and its attached segment of cable or tubing  910 , e.g., in either case as needed with second spacer segment  132  and its second spanner  130  pivoted outward as needed about pivot point  136  and/or with second spacer segment  132  rotated together with its second spanner  130  relative to offset drive mechanism  106  and first spanner  112  and first spacer segment  108  as needed to match the clocking of threaded nut  906 . In any case, first spanner  112  may then be rotated by one or more full revolutions in either direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) together with its first spacer segment  108  around the segment of cable or tubing  910  that is attached to the second given threaded connector  908  that is engaged by the first spanner  112  in a similar manner as described above. This process may be repeated to tighten or loosen multiple different threaded connectors  908  from corresponding mating threaded connectors. 
     While the invention may be adaptable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific examples and exemplary embodiments have been shown by way of example and described herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the apparatus and methods described herein. Moreover, the different aspects of the disclosed apparatus and methods may be utilized in various combinations and/or independently. Thus the invention is not limited to only those combinations shown herein, but rather may include other combinations.