Screwdriver having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive

Details Screwdriver having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive Screwdriver having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive

2002-05-21

2003-11-04

Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)

Tools

Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor

Responsive to torque on work

C081S473000, C081S474000, C081S476000, C081S477000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06640674

ABSTRACT:

This invention relates to a screwdriver of the type having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Screwdrivers with gear mechanisms, or the like, are commonly in use in various fields, including the medical instrument field where this invention is useful. Those screwdrivers have an elongated handle with gear-type teeth or the like within the handle and with a spring pressing on the teeth to hold the teeth in mutual engagement while the handle is being rotated to apply a torque to a work piece such as a screw. Also, in that arrangement, the gear teeth may be held together for a transmission therebetween of a maximum torque applied to the work piece. Even further, the screwdriver might have an adjustment which permits adjusting the force of the spring on the gear teeth to thereby adjust the maximum torque transmitted through the handle and to the work piece.
The present invention provides an adjustable control for applying selective forces on the gears or the like and doing so with a spring which forces on the gears in accord with the setting of the adjustable control.
Still further, the aforementioned adjustable control can have indicia thereon, such as graduation markings, so that the adjusted position of the control can be readily detected by the user and thus the control can be set in a desired position for effecting the desired spring force on the gears or those items which are transmitting the torque.
Also the control itself has an adjustable rotational stop for an initial setting to permit the movement of the control to be to a maximum amount and thereby have the screwdriver able to transmit up to a maximum torque from that selected initial setting. Thus, the range of the setting can be selected.
In that arrangement, it is desirable to have the adjustable control rotatable on the handle so that it can be set in the desired position but also have the control limited in its adjustable positioning so that it will operate exclusively within only a range of adjustment and not exceed its positioning to where it could actually become disconnected or otherwise fail in its operation. The entire arrangement is such that the operator can set the adjustable control to one of various selectable torque-limiting positions, and the operator can be assured that each time the control is set in that position that the desired maximum torque will be transmitted by the screwdriver, and the transmitted torque will be limited to that one maximum amount in accord with that one setting of the adjustable control.
In this invention, the screwdriver is elongated and has a handle with a rear end, and that is where the controls are located for setting the limit to the transmitted torque. Thus, the surgeon, or other user, can securely hold the handle with one hand and have access to and adjustment of the torque controls, all for accuracy of the desired settings.
Still further, the screwdriver is constructed to have its moving parts in relationships and positions of inter-related support and close tolerance, so the settings and the use are precise.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2732746 (1956-01-01), Livermont
patent: 2733622 (1956-02-01), Evans
patent: 2968979 (1961-01-01), Aijala
patent: 3068667 (1962-12-01), Sussman
patent: 3205985 (1965-09-01), Pearl
patent: 3292678 (1966-12-01), Noga
patent: 3695059 (1972-10-01), Laubach
patent: 3942337 (1976-03-01), Leonard
patent: 4062203 (1977-12-01), Leonard
patent: 4063474 (1977-12-01), Klopping
patent: 4272973 (1981-06-01), Fu-Tsai
patent: 4517865 (1985-05-01), Huang
patent: 4653359 (1987-03-01), Liao
patent: 4901610 (1990-02-01), Larson et al.
patent: 5746298 (1998-05-01), Krivec et al.
patent: 6076439 (2000-06-01), Dzieman
patent: 6095020 (2000-08-01), Rinner
patent: 6132435 (2000-10-01), Young
patent: 6155147 (2000-12-01), Dzieman
patent: 6273200 (2001-08-01), Smith et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Screwdriver having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Screwdriver having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Screwdriver having a variable torque-limiting in-line drive will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3175203