Abstract:
A torque wrench including an elongated beam having a first end and a second end, a drive post attached to the first end of the elongated beam, a handle attached to the second end of the elongated beam so that force applied to the handle transfers torque to the work piece, a scale attached to the second end of the elongated beam, and a laser source disposed on the first end of the elongated beam, the laser source being configured to direct a laser beam toward the second end of the elongated beam such that the laser beam strikes the scale.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/376,572 filed Aug. 24, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to torque wrenches. More specifically, the present invention relates to deflection beam torque wrenches. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mechanical torque wrenches are well known. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a typical deflection beam torque wrench  10  includes an elongated beam  12 , a drive post  14 , a hand grip  16 , a scale  18  and a corresponding pointer  20 . Hand grip  16  is secured to a first end of elongated beam  12  along with scale  18 . Scale  18  extends outwardly to the right and the left sides of elongated beam  12  such that the amount of torque being applied by torque wrench  10  in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise directions can be measured, respectively. Drive post  14  is disposed at a second end of the elongated beam and typically includes a drive tang  8  that is configured to receive variously sized sockets, thereby allowing a user to apply torque to different sized fasteners. Additionally, a proximal end of pointer  20  is fixed to drive post  14  and pointer  20  extends along the longitudinal center axis of elongated beam  12  such that a distal end of pointer  20  is adjacent scale  18 . 
         [0004]    When no torque is being applied with torque wrench  10 , the distal end of pointer  20  is disposed adjacent the center of scale  18 , which corresponds to the longitudinal center axis of elongated beam  12 . As torque is applied, resistance to rotation of torque wrench  10  provided by the fastener being driven causes deflection of the handle end of elongated beam  12  relative to the drive post end in the direction in which torque is being applied. In contrast, the pointer is not deflected relative to the drive post end of elongated beam  12  as it is free to rotate therewith. As such, deflection of the handle end of torque wrench  10  causes movement of scale  18  relative to the distal end of pointer  20 , thereby indicating the amount of torque being applied to the fastener. 
         [0005]    Various issues exist with regard to the use of existing deflection beam torque wrenches. For example, they can be difficult to store because of the size of the scale extending outwardly from the elongated beam, pointers can be easily damaged, thereby affecting accuracy, and the accuracy of the wrench depends largely upon the user viewing the scale and associated pointer directly from above the scale. 
         [0006]    The present invention recognizes and addresses considerations of prior art constructions and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a torque wrench which includes an elongated beam having a first end and a second end, a drive post attached to the first end of the elongated beam, the drive post being configured to attach to a work piece to transfer torque to the work piece, a handle attached to the second end of the elongated beam so that force applied to the handle transfers torque to the work piece, a scale attached to the second end of the elongated beam, and a laser source disposed on the first end of the elongated beam, the laser source being configured to direct a laser beam toward the second end of the elongated beam such that the laser beam strikes the scale. 
         [0008]    A second embodiment of the present disclosure provides a torque wrench which includes an elongated beam having a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to attach to a work piece to transfer torque to the work piece and the second end being configured to be gripped by a user so that force applied to the second end transfers torque to the work piece, a scale attached to the elongated beam, and a laser source disposed on the first end of the elongated beam, the laser source being configured to direct a laser beam toward the second end of the elongated beam such that the laser beam strikes the scale. 
         [0009]    Yet another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a laser beam assembly for use with a torque wrench including a drive post at a first end, a grip handle at an opposite second end, and a scale. The laser beam assembly includes a laser source disposed on the first end of the torque wrench, the laser source being configured to direct a laser beam toward the second end of the torque wrench such that the laser beam strikes the scale. 
         [0010]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a top view of a prior art deflection beam torque wrench; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the deflection beam torque wrench shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a laser beam deflection torque wrench in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are partial, cut-away front and side views, respectively, of the drive post end of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 3  applying torque in the clockwise direction; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a top view of an alternate embodiment of a laser beam deflection wrench in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 9 ; and 
           [0022]      FIGS. 11A ,  11 B,  11 C and  11 D are partial, cut-away front, side, top and rear views of the dive post end of the laser beam deflection torque wrench shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention according to the disclosure. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0024]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 through 8 , a laser beam deflection torque wrench  100  in accordance with the present disclosure includes an elongated beam  120 , a drive post  130  fixed to a first end of elongated beam  120  and a grip handle  140  affixed to a second end of elongated beam  120 . As best seen in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , drive post  130  includes a laser source  150  and a drive tang  132  for receiving variously sized sockets (not shown). Laser source  150  is configured to direct a laser beam  152  along the longitudinal center axis of elongated beam  120  when the torque wrench is powered on and no torque is being applied with the wrench. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a graduated scale  160  is pivotably mounted adjacent grip handle  140  and is selectively pivotable to the right-hand side or the left-hand side of elongated beam  120  dependant upon whether torque is applied to a fastener in the clockwise direction or the counter-clockwise direction, respectively. When rotated over the centerline of grip handle  140 , graduated scale  160  serves as a protective cover for a power button  180  that is used to turn the power source for laser source  150  on and off. Preferably, grip handle  140  also includes a battery compartment (not shown) for receiving a power source for the laser source. 
         [0026]    In use, a user first presses power button  180  to turn the torque wrench on such that laser source  150  directs laser beam  152  along the longitudinal center axis of elongated beam  120 . The laser beam is configured to strike graduated scale  160  at a zero value when no torque is being applied. Next, the user pivots graduated scale  160  to the side of elongated beam  120  that is opposite to the direction in which torque is to be applied. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , when viewed from above by the user, graduated scale  160  is rotated outwardly to the right-hand side of elongated beam  120  when torque is being applied in a clockwise direction. As torque is applied to, for example, a fastener, increasing resistance of the fastener to being rotated causes the grip handle end of elongated beam  120 , and therefore graduated scale  160 , to deflect relative to the drive post end of elongated beam  120  in the direction in which torque is being applied. In contrast, laser beam  152  remains as a straight line emanating radially outwardly from drive post  130 . As such, as greater amounts of torque are applied with the torque wrench, and elongated beam  120  undergoes greater deflection, laser beam  152  strikes graduated scale  160  farther out from the zero reference point, indicating that greater amounts of torque are being applied. When applying torque in the counter-clockwise direction, a user rotates graduated scale  160  outwardly from elongated beam  120  to the left-hand side. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an alternate embodiment of a laser beam deflection torque wrench  200  in accordance with the present disclosure includes an elongated beam  220 , a drive post  230  fixed to a first end of elongated beam  220 , a grip handle  240  affixed to a second end of elongated beam  220 , a scale  260 , and a laser source assembly  248 . Laser source assembly  248  is removably secured to drive post  230 , which includes a drive tang  232  for receiving variously sized sockets (not shown). 
         [0028]    As best seen in  FIGS. 11A through 11D , laser source assembly  248  includes a laser source  250  disposed in a housing  254 . Housing  254  defines a mounting recess  256  that is configured to slidably receive an upper portion of drive post  230  in a press-fit. As such, laser source assembly  248  is selectively removable from drive post  230 . Preferably, a threaded fastener  258  extends radially inwardly into mounting recess  256  to further secure laser source assembly  248  to mounting post  230 . Note, in alternate embodiments, laser source assembly  248  is permanently fixed to drive post  230 , such as by stacking, crimping, epoxy, welding, etc. Additionally, housing  254  defines a battery compartment (not shown) that is accessible by way of cover  260 . 
         [0029]    Laser source  250  is configured to direct a laser beam  252  along the longitudinal center axis of elongated beam  220  when the torque wrench is powered on and no torque is being applied with the wrench. Graduated scale  260  is mounted adjacent grip handle  240  such that laser beam  252  strikes the scale. 
         [0030]    In use, a user first presses a power button  258  to turn laser source assembly  248  on such that laser source  250  directs laser beam  252  along the longitudinal center axis of elongated beam  220 . The laser beam is configured to strike graduated scale  260  at a zero value when no torque is being applied. As torque is applied to, for example, a fastener, increasing resistance of the fastener to being rotated causes the grip handle end of elongated beam  220 , and therefore graduated scale  260 , to deflect relative to the drive post end of elongated beam  220  in the direction in which torque is being applied. In contrast, laser beam  252  remains as a straight line emanating radially outwardly from drive post  230 . As such, as greater amounts of torque are applied with the torque wrench, and elongated beam  220  undergoes greater deflection, laser beam  252  strikes graduated scale  260  farther out from the zero reference point, indicating that greater amounts of torque are being applied. 
         [0031]    While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.