Patent ID: 8371193

Claim:
An adjustable torque limiting device comprising: a first shank extending along a longitudinal axis, and having a first lever-side end and a first coupling end opposite to each other; and a second shank extending along the longitudinal axis, and having a second lever-side end and a second coupling end which is opposite to said second lever-side end along the longitudinal axis, and which is coaxially coupled with said first coupling end such that said first and second shanks are axially unmovable relative to each other to thereby constitute a shank unit, said second shank further having a threaded segment disposed between said second lever-side end and said second coupling end; a carrier unit mounted proximate to said first and second coupling ends, and having at least two detent assemblies which are diametrically opposite to each other, each of said detent assemblies having a bearing region which faces axially and away from said first lever-side end, and a detent region which faces in a radial direction relative to the longitudinal axis, and which cooperates with said bearing region to define a cavity; at least two detent bodies, each having a peripheral surface which has a force-delivering area and a force-receiving area, each of said detent bodies being received in said cavity such that said force-receiving area is engaged with said detent region to transmit a straining force emanating from said detent region to said force-delivering area; a force-counteracting member which is mounted on and which is axially movable relative to said shank unit, said force-counteracting member including at least two counteracting surface segments, each of which extends radially and is axially spaced apart from said bearing region, each of said counteracting surface segments being in frictional engagement with said force-delivering area such that said force-counteracting member is pushed to move away from said bearing region once the straining force exceeds a preloaded force which is set to act on a respective one of said counteracting surface segments against the straining force; and an adjustable preload unit including an adjusting assembly which is threadedly engaged with said threaded segment such that said adjusting assembly is axially movable relative to said force-counteracting member by turning about the longitudinal axis, and at least one compressible biasing member which is disposed between said force-counteracting member and said adjusting assembly, and which is axially compressible such that, in response to movement of said adjusting unit, said biasing members is compressed to exert the preloaded force on said counteracting surface segments.