Tools – Wrench – screwdriver – or driver therefor – Machine
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-28
2001-07-03
Hail, III, Joseph J. (Department: 3723)
Tools
Wrench, screwdriver, or driver therefor
Machine
C081S057220, C081S057000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06253644
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of torque wrenchs, and more particularly to a novel torque wrench designed to tighten one or more fasteners simultaneously to a certain torque specification.
Conventionally, a variety of torque wrenches have been employed in various mechanical assembling operations to tighten nuts and bolts rapidly and at the same time, to ensure that the parts have been joined together to produce a desired holding action without applying an excessive degree of torque which would tend to weaken or fracture the threads or holding elements of the parts being tightened. Various attempts have been employed to supply special torque wrenches to operate in connection with tightening of parts whereby the degree of torque applied by a wrench is indicated either visually or by feel. Devices of this character tend to increase the coordination and efficiency of the operator and it has been found desirable to provide means, which will indicate automatically when the selected amount of torque has been applied. This desired indication is usually assembled or constructed with a torque wrench itself, which includes a handle grip of the wrench so that the operator will be alerted to the amount of torque being applied.
Further problems have been encountered when employing conventional torque wrenches with certain specialized operations such as two fastener clamps used in many plumbing operations; Specifically, a no hub coupler used to join two sections of pipe. These problems stem largely from the fact that conventional wrenches allow the operator to only tighten one fastener at a time. When the two fasteners on a no hub coupler are not tightened simultaniously it can cause the coupler to buckle on one side and increase the risk of leaking. Furthermore, to insure the fasteners are tightened evenly the operator must constantly switch from one fastener to another while tightening the coupler making the process very slow and inefficient. It is also necessary to have the ability to loosen a fastener, though most conventional torque wrenches will not reverse a fastener without engaging the torque limit action that would hinder such loosening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the invention is to provide a novel torque device to simultaneously tighten one or more fasteners to a predetermined torque specification.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel torque device in which one fastener can be tightened to its predetermined torque limit and stop while still allowing another fastener to continue tightening till it reaches its torque limit.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel torque device, which will loosen a fastener without engaging the torque limit device.
Another object of the invention is to provide a novel torque device with a multiplying gear in which drives and increases the speed as to which the fasteners are tightened or loosened.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel torque device able to ratchet in the forward and reverse directions.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a torque wrench comprises a main housing disposes two or more single torque devices and a drive gear. One end of each of the single torque devices protrudes from the main housing and is intended to insertably receive the fastener intended to be tightened, on the opposing end of the main housing a ratcheting drive shaft protrudes from the main housing and drives a drive gear which is operable connected to a driven gear affixed to each single torque device.
Several drive gears can be used to link numerous torque devices together in order to loosen or tighten numerous fasteners simultaneously.
In the illustrated embodiment, the torque device provides a preset torque means, which establishes a torque range ensuring that the fastener will not be tightened either too tight or too loose. In one form this means is a helical spring which bears against two pistons arranged in rotary sliding relationship with respect to each other in the clockwise direction only allowing the fasteners to be loosened with out any torque limits. Also, the drive gear is sized larger than the driven gears affixed to the single torque devices, which multiplies the speed that the fastener is tightened in relation to the speed that the drive gear is turned.
Since the drive gear drives two separate torque devices this allows each fastener to be tightened independent of the other. Therefore, if one fastener is initially tighter than the other it will reach its designed torque limit first and stop turning while the other continues until it reaches its designed torque limit.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2964152 (1960-12-01), Banner
patent: 3757613 (1973-09-01), Arndt et al.
patent: 4515043 (1985-05-01), Gray
patent: 4970918 (1990-11-01), Brewer et al.
patent: 5813298 (2000-09-01), Beattle
Berry Jr. Willie
Duquette David M.
Hail III Joseph J.
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