Patent ID: 6948410

Claim:
A torque wrench comprising: an elongate, tubular body that extends generally along an axis, the body having opposite proximal and distal ends, the proximal end of the body including at least one flute positioned along a direction parallel to the axis in an exterior surface thereof; a head mounted to the distal end of the body, the head adapted for applying torque; a torque signaling mechanism housed within the body for signaling when the head is subjected to torque that matches a predetermined torque setting; a handle that is rotatably mounted to the proximal end of the body, the handle being operably linked to the torque signaling mechanism so that rotation of the handle results in adjustment of the predetermined torque setting, the handle having a cylindrical portion with at least one radial bore; a locking sleeve mounted for slidable movement along a direction parallel to the axis relative to the cylindrical portion of the handle, the locking sleeve including a rigid member and an elastomeric member, the rigid member being generally cylindrical having at least a first interior surface and a second interior surface, the first and second surfaces being spaced from each other axially, the first interior surface being positioned radially inwardly relative to the second interior surface, the elastomeric member seated adjacent the second interior surface; at least one locking ball positioned in the bore of the handle; and wherein the locking sleeve is movable along the direction parallel to the axis between a locked position in which the first interior surface retains the locking ball radially inwardly to seat in the at least one flute so that the handle is prevented from rotating, and an unlocked position in which the first interior surface is generally free from the locking ball, and in which the locking ball contacts the elastomeric member, the elastomeric member biasing the locking ball radially inwardly and being deflectable to permit radial movement of the locking ball to unseat from the at least one flute when the handle is rotated relative to the body.