U.S. patent number 3,847,038 [Application Number 05/380,404] was granted by the patent office on 1974-11-12 for automatic release wrench of the preset type.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Snap-on Tools Corporation. Invention is credited to Talmage O. Green.
United States Patent |
3,847,038 |
Green |
November 12, 1974 |
AUTOMATIC RELEASE WRENCH OF THE PRESET TYPE
Abstract
The structure embodies an elongated tubular handle member with a
work engaging member projecting therefrom at one end thereof to
provide a transverse shank to which detachable sockets of various
standard sizes are applied to turn fasteners to a predetermined
torque load. Confronting primary and secondary flex beams are
disposed in the tubular handle member for engagement with each
other and the work engaging member. A spring urged trigger release
is movably mounted on one flex beam to cooperate with the other
flex beam in the region of its maximum flex responsive to resisting
the torque load, and this trigger release is in the path of the
other flex beam end to normally engage therewith until the trigger
moves with the flex of both beams to engage an adjustable
obstruction depending from a wall of the tubular handle member,
thereby mechanically releasing the connection therebetween to
momentarily effect an audible and physically light arm impact
disconnect signal. This requires the user to withdraw from the
further application of turning force, and move back the handle
slightly to reconnect the flex beams to their initial position
prior to the repeat application of turning force to another
fastener. An adjustable load preset mechanism is provided with
micromatic beam positioning instrumentalities to accurately change
the predetermined load at which the beams will disconnect
automatically to preclude the further application of turning force
without manually reestablishing the initial connection between the
flex beams by turning back the unloaded turning handle until the
instrumentalities reconnect to their initial position in readiness
for the next fastener turning requirement.
Inventors: |
Green; Talmage O. (Schaumberg,
IL) |
Assignee: |
Snap-on Tools Corporation
(Kenosha, WI)
|
Family
ID: |
26861863 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/380,404 |
Filed: |
July 18, 1973 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
166003 |
Jul 26, 1971 |
3763724 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
81/477 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B25B
23/1427 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B25B
23/14 (20060101); B25B 23/142 (20060101);
B25b () |
Field of
Search: |
;81/52.4,52.5 ;33/163
;73/139,1D |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Jones, Jr.; James L.
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Ser.
No. 166,003 filed July 26, 1971, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,724.
Claims
I claim:
1. A preset torque wrench comprising a rigid elongated tubular
handle member, a pair of superposed flex beams disposed along and
within said elongated tubular handle member, a work engaging head
member anchored to both of said flex beams and projecting within
said tubular handle member, a trigger release latch mechanism on
one of said flex beams to engage the other flex beam after a
partial load is impressed upon said first named flex beam to
displace said trigger release latch therewith for detachable
engagement with the second named flex beam so that both beams flex
to carry the preset load beyond the initial load sustained alone by
said first named flex beam, whereby the further application of a
turning load continues until said trigger latch is deflected by an
obstruction in the path thereof to release the last named flex beam
from the first named flex beam in order to preclude further
effective turning of the fastener by said work engaging member, and
calibrated micromatic preset torque release setting means on said
handle member in operative engagement with one of said flex beams
to cooperate with inter-related calibrated scales on said last
named flex beam to initially preset the position of said trigger
release latch means relative to the obstruction in the path thereof
to control the torque load release of said trigger release latch
mechanism.
2. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 1 wherein said preset
means include a calibrated micromatic screw member in threaded
connection with one of said flex beams to accurately position the
latter with said trigger release latch mechanism thereon.
3. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 1 wherein an adjustable
obstruction is disposed in the path of said trigger release latch
mechanism to disconnect said flex beams upon applying a preset
torque turning load through said work engaging member, and the
preset means include a micromatic screw to vary the initial
position of the flex beams relative to inter-related scales thereon
to control the release responsive to said adjustable
obstruction.
4. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 2 wherein said
calibrated micromatic preset means are in threaded connection with
one of said flex beams to cooperate with inter-calibrated scales
thereon to accurately preset the load at which the trigger release
latch means effect a disconnect between said superposed flex
beams.
5. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 2 wherein said
calibrated micromatic screw preset means cooperate with
calibrations on one of said flex beams to accurately preset the
torque turning load at which the trigger latch will release the
connection between said flex beams, there being a visual opening in
said handle member to expose the flex beam calibrations which are
inter-related to said micromatic preset means, and means for
changing the torque load at which the release of said latch means
is effected.
6. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 1 wherein said
calibrated micromatic preset load release means include a stub
shaft journalled in said handle member to threadedly engage one of
said flex beams having inter-related calibrations to index the
position thereof through a visual opening in said handle member
relative to said trigger release latch obstruction, and means other
than said last named means to initially position said trigger
release latch means to correct the preset torque load at which said
secondary beam is released from connection with said other
beam.
7. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 6 wherein said stub
shaft has two micromatically calibrated knobs thereon to cooperate
with calibrations on both sides of the flex beam, therebeing visual
openings in said handle member confronting said last named
calibrations to provide accurate initial positioning of said last
named flex beams with said calibrated knobs inter-related
therewith.
8. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 7 wherein said handle
member has two viewings openings on opposite sides thereof to
confront and expose the inter-related calibrations on said
calibrated flex beam.
9. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 8 wherein said
superposed flex beams are initially connected by said trigger latch
release and said micromatic preset means initially move the trigger
connected flex beams to a calibrated predetermined initial
position.
10. A preset torque wrench defined in claim 1 wherein one of said
superposed flex beams is shorter than the other to provide a long
primary beam and a short secondary beam with said trigger release
latch pivotally mounted on said primary beam in the path of the
free end of said secondary beam for connection and release relative
thereto, and micromatic screw means threaded through said primary
beam to preset the initial position of both flex beams relative to
the obstruction in the path thereof as said beams were flexed by
the applied torque load, there being visual openings in said handle
member to confront said primary beam, and inter-related
calibrations on said micromatic screw means and primary beam
aligned with said visual openings in said handle member.
Description
This invention relates to turning devices and more particularly to
preset to preset torque measuring wrenches of the type illustrated
and described in U.S. letters Pat. No. 3,608,403 issued Sept. 28,
1971 although certain features thereof may be employed with equal
advantage for other purposes.
It contemplates more especially the provision of a simple,
dependable, accurate and compact torque measuring wrench that
accurately designates and signals the preset force to be applied
and upon reaching this torque load will release and momentarily
preclude any further nut turning and similar turning movements
under all conditions.
Most torque wrenches measure the flex in a beam or the torsional
twist in a shank which resists the turning force of a wrench in
order to determine the amount of torque or force applied in nut
turning and similar operations. Both types of torque wrenches have
been adapted to commercial wrench structures of the conventional
handle or lever arm type as evidenced by U.S. letters Pat. Nos.
2,312,104 and 2,367,224. However, it is now deemed more effective
for some production and repair operations, to preset a wrench of
the type so that the desired nut or other fastener tightening load
will be indicated and mechanically released during use to
momentarily preclude further tightening thereof with simple and
possible instant resetting thereof by the user for repeated
application to a nut or other fastener for the same predetermined
or any adjusted load release as will appear more fully
hereinafter.
The desirability of utilizing the degree of twist in the shank or
shaft or the flex beam principle as the measuring expedient in nut
turning and similar operations, has been resorted to with success
from the standpoint of measuring the applied turning load in
relations to a calibrated meter that requires constant observations
to reduce the human error factor to a minimum as illustrated in the
above referred to letters patents; however, it is now known that
predetermined tightening loads can be imparted to fasteners by
incorporating presetting control instrumentalities to preclude
variations in fastener turning applied loads without jarring the
sensitive measuring elements thereof and, further, without relying
upon the over-reaction or under-reaction of the user whose
responses are not always uniform.
The importance of accuracy in torque wrenches cannot be
over-emphasized, and the degree of accuracy depending largely upon
the elimination of or substantial reduction in friction, lag and
free-play between relatively moving parts. This is also important
in torque wrenches that embody the principle of flexing a torque
resisting beam to provide the desired reading; however, a
mechanical release at the point of reaching the applied preset
load, lends itself to torque wrenches of the beam flexing type with
the teachings of the present invention.
The automatic predetermined torque release wrenches of the type
illustrated and described in U.S. letters Pat. Nos. 3,608,403 and
3,763,724 have proved very successful and practical, but these were
found rather expensive to produce because of the number of parts
involved so that with the teachings of the instant invention,
simplicity and dependability have been accomplished to minimize
production costs and simplify the adjustment to any predetermined
load release within the capcity range of the device.
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the
applied preset torque measuring principle has been embodied in the
conventional type lever arm flex-beam wrench with minimum friction,
lag, free play, and maximum translation. This has been accomplished
to conjunction with presetting torque load indicator
instrumentalities with minimal release impact to to both the user
and the instrumentalities. This is conducive to the avoidance of
user discomfort and precluding errors and variations in reading and
interpreting the usual indicators in all conditions of use. Torque
measurements are possible, therefore, with a negligible error
factor and nut turning operations are accurately applied under all
conditions and capacities irrespective of human error and the
position of applied force along the lever arm for effecting the
turning operation.
It has been found in actual use of dial indicating torque wrenches,
especially in repetitive production line operations, and in engine
repair work that the attendant may not be distracted from an
indicator dial or he may be working under tiring or difficult
conditions to be sufficiently observant thereof or the dial
positioned in such an obscure or inconvenient position for the
purpose of nut turning with difficulty in normally inaccessible
places so that accurate observations are difficult or impossible.
Thus, there is little opportunity to read the dial and, therefore,
the user of a torque wrench may not be in the position to determine
with any great deal of accuracy the torque load that is being
applied. Furthermore, human error may render otherwise accurate
torque measuring instrumentalities ineffectual so that the present
invention contemplates the elimination of human error and the other
noted difficulties by providing simple automatic mechanical
disconnect and connect control features that will convey to the
user the knowledge that the applied torque has reached the
predetermined value at which the measuring instrumentalities have
been preset prior to the application of the device. To this end, it
has been found desirable to provide simple disconnect and connect
instrumentalities that render it mechanically impossible for the
user to apply more torque load to a fastener than is initially
intended without any overt act.
The physical indicator preferably takes the form of a trigger
release mechanism operating responsive to a flex beam which will
provide an automatic disconnect at the preset load so that the
handle 10 will be momentarily ineffectual to apply more force for
the further application thereof in nut turning operations. This
construction provides partial releasing, since the two beams 18-20
bend together after initial fractional loading of the primary beam
18 to share the torque load. Thus, the wrench handle 10 travels a
certain arc (degrees) to sustain the preset load when the secondary
beam 20 releases by reason of the trigger 24 being displaced
therewith to engage the obstruction which, in this instance, is a
handle depending fixed interior pin 31 that causes a trigger 22
disconnect. Then the primary beam 18 must take over the full load
and these occurrences cumulatively create a momentary interruption,
a mild vibratory shock and some audible click due to the trigger
disconnect serving as a signal to the user who becomes conscious of
the desirability not to over-pull by continuing the application of
force.
The effect of this is to cause a sudden relaxation of part of the
applied torque at the drive end 12 as the user knows he must then
stop as advised by the aforesaid cumulative release signals. Normal
relation of all the instrumentalities then takes place due to the
straight natural at rest attitude of the secondary beam 20 when the
latter passes to its no stress point upon release of the trigger 24
which is then spring-urged to return to its initial position of
engagement with the secondary beam 20. The free end of the
secondary beam 20 always maintains contact at some point with the
unlatched trigger 22 even when the secondary beam 20 is released so
that as it assumes its straight attitude re-latching of the spring
urged trigger 22 is readily attained. This is aided by the fact
that the primary beam 18 also assumes a straight attitude upon
release and user relaxation to slightly displace the trigger 22
backwardly to assist in the re-latching trigger operation.
This would be true irrespective of the care exercised by the user
or the position in which he was using the torque wrench or the
inaccessibility of use which may preclude the direct vision to any
calibrated indicator or measuring meter that has heretofore been
used in devices of this character. These human failures have been
entirely eliminated by utilizing mechanical disconnect
instrumentalities that are responsive to the presetting
instrumentalities when the torque load reaches the measurement for
which the wrench is preset and the user receives the mechanical
signal to relax his grip and stop applying further torque. It
should be observed that when the full turning torque load is
released, the impact thereof is substantially reduced because only
a relatively small load is carried by the secondary beam 20 that is
responsive to the preset load factor; therefore, the user is not
jarred by the release operation but is significally notified
thereof so that he will unconsciously re-cock the handle 10 and
apply the work engaging member 12 to another fastener for
tightening to the same load.
One object of the present invention is to simplify the construction
by substantially reducing the number of parts and simultaneously
improve the operation of devices of the character mentioned.
Another object is to provide a more simple and compact preset
torque measuring device that is accurate, dependable in operation,
and embodies utmost simplicity in the presetting adjustment
instrumentalities.
Still another object is to provide torque measuring turning tool
having a simple micromatic presetting instrumentality with trigger
release means which are self-restoring upon manual release thereof
after the disconnect occurs.
A further object is to provide a self-contained torque measuring
turning tool with simple and effective multiple calibrated screw
adjusting instrumentalities for positive connection and
disconnection of the load turning elements at any predetermined
torque load with multiple capacity calibrations in a plurality of
different measuring systems.
A still further object is to provide a torque wrench with a turning
shank having trigger release and restoring mechanical controls
serving as a mechanical release at a present load with a simple
micromatic screw flexbeam preset mechanism in different measuring
systems to insure accurate and rapid tightening of fasteners
without human intervention except for applying the load until a
disconnect occurs.
Still a further object is to provide an improved presetting and
releasing torque wrench consisting of a multiple calibrated
micromatic screw preset control to mechanically interrupt the
applied torque load without the user's involvement therein.
Other objects and advantages will appear from the following
description of an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
In the drawing:
FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the device embodying features of the
present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional bottom view of the device shown in
FIG. 1 taken substantially along the longitudinal interior bottom
surface casing line of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary side view in elevation of the
slide retainer rod within the rearward portion of the handle
member, the rearward part of the handle member being shown in
section to clarify the illustration.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the micromatic screw
friction lock retainer shown in FIG. 2 to maintain the calibrated
flex-beam and its screw member in adjusted preset position against
accidental displacement.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the release trigger latch
shown in assembled position in FIG. 2 between the primary and
secondary beams.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the micromatic screw which
thrededly engages and displaces the calibrated flex-beam shown in
assembled position in FIGS. 1 and 2.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the calibrated knob which is
attached to the ends of the micromatic screw shown in FIG. 6 that
indexes the setting of the calibrated flex-beam.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the friction lock
adjusting knob shown in FIG. 1 at the rearward handle end.
FIG. 9 is an enlarged bottom view of the calibrated flex-beam shown
on FIG. 2.
FIG. 10 is an enlarged top plan view of the calibrated flex-beam
region shown in FIG. 1, this being a different measurement system
on the opposite calibrated surface of the flex-beam shown in FIG.
9.
The structure selected for illustration is not intended to serve as
a limitation upon the scope or teachings of the invention, but is
merely illustrative thereof. There may be considerable variations
and adaptations of all or part of the teachings depending upon the
dictates of commercial practice. The present embodiment comprises
an elongated tubular handle member 10, in this instance of
rectangular cross-section, to also serve as a housing for
instrumentalities to be hereinafter described. The forward end 11
may have any suitable work engaging member extending therefrom, in
this instance, has a projecting work engaging member 12
complementarily sized for frictionally grasping and closing the
handle end 11 with reasonable tightness to preclude interaction
therebetween. The work engaging member 12 may consist of a
projecting furcated member 13 to which a complemental work engaging
ratched head shank 14 is pivotally connected as at 15. The ratchet
and/or pivotal head 12 may be of standard construction to provide
tightening and loosening directional selection with the aid of the
ratchet pawl control lever 16 or the latter may be utilized to
tighten and loosen left-hand threaded fasteners which require
handle oscillation opposite to right-hand threaded fasteners. For
that matter, a plain work projecting head member may be substituted
for the ratchet type 12 as illustrated in my prior letters patent
cited supra.
The work engaging head 12 is preferably retained in the elongated
handle 10 by means of a tight frictional telescopic fit
therebetween or mechanically connected as commercial practice may
dictate to apply turning force thereto by means of the handle 10
which is manually grasped at the other and reduced end region 17
thereof. As shown, the work engaging head 12 has, in this instance,
a flex-beam 18 extending integrally therefrom and inwardly of the
elongated handle member 10 for substantially the entire length
thereof. This beam 18 serves as the primary bending or flexing beam
which resists the turning movement applied to the handle member 10
when the work engaging head 12 has a standard wrench socket (not
shown) on its polygonal shank 19 (FIG. 2) in registry with a nut or
other standard fastener.
A secondary and shorter bending beam 20 is integrally or otherwise
fitted, fabricated, or attached to each other and to the work
engaging head 12-13 by any suitable means so that both beams 18-20
ultimately resist the turning movement applied through the handle
member 10 as the preset load is approached and both beams 18-20
flex to apply the torque load as will appear more fully
hereinafter. The secondary beam 20 is, in this instance, somewhat
less than one-half the length of the primary beam 18 which flexes
first to carry a trigger release mechanism 22 (FIGS. 2 and 5) in
connecting operative relation to the secondary beam 20.
The trigger connecting and releasing latch mechanism 22 involves a
substantially U-shaped inverted furcated member having vertical
confronting lever arms 23 that terminate in enlarged ears 24 with
axially aligned aperture 25 for pivotally connection with the
primary beam 20 disposed therebetween proximate to its midpoint
through a lever arm bridging pin 25 serving as a mount therefor.
The upstanding trigger vertical lever arms 23-24 comprise an
integral part of a lever arm curved bridging plate latch to present
a horizontally and forwardly which has a projecting curved tongue
27 (FIG. 5) thereon for engagement and disengagement with the
secondary beam 20. To this end, the trigger release latch tongue 27
confronts and is engageable with a stepped shoulder 28 provided on
the rewardly projecting end of the superposed secondary beam 20 for
tiltable connection and release relative thereto as will appear
more fully hereinafter.
The trigger release latch 22 is normally urged in a
counterclockwise direction (FIG. 2) by a convexly curved flat
spring 29 that is riveted as at 30 to the trigger latch bracket
plate 26 opposite to its engaging tongue 27 thereon. The convexly
curved flat spring 29 has its other end in contact with the upper
edge of the primary beam 18 to normally tilt the trigger latch 26
in a counterclockwise direction (viewed from FIG. 2). This spring
action normally provides detachable connection of the trigger
release latch 22 with the stepped shoulder 28 at the free end of
the secondary beam 20. This is effected through the trigger release
latch tongue 27 to insure engagement between the primary and
secondary beams 18-20 under and responsive to the torque turning
load flex thereof. The trigger release latch engaging edge 27 has
its upper curved surface 26 confronting any suitable obstruction to
effect its release of the secondary beam 20, in this instance, a
pin 31 depends downwardly from an adjustable mount 31' threadedly
disposed through the housing wall to terminate in an exposed
angulated head in the wall of the housing handle 10-17 to provide
inwardly projecting adjustment of the pin 31. It should be noted
that the pin mount 31' is a circular wafer-type disc threaded at
its periphery or circumference to afford rotary adjustment to
position the depending pin 31 that is eccentrically mounted
thereon, relatively forward or backward to effectively vary the
preset position of the trigger release latch 22 actuation. This
changes the preset value at which the secondary beam 20 will be
released from the primary beam 18, and also affords an effective
initial adjustment to correct any value variations of release
should such occureither upon completion of the torque wrench at the
factory or during the use thereof in turning fasteners and the
like. This required correction for a precise measuring instrument
can be detected by utilizing periodically a torque wrench testing
device of known types. By adjusting the pin mount 31' its distance
from the convexly curved latch surface 26 is changed. This affects
the predetermined load release point because the pin 31 serves as a
stop to release the trigger latch 22 and stops further beam
flexing.
This action releases the secondary beam 20 from connection with the
primary beam 18 by pivoting the trigger release latch 22 in a
clockwise direction (viewed from FIG. 2). At this moment, the load
on both the secondary and primary beams 20-18 sequentially release
respectively. The secondary beam 20 is unflexed by reason of the
release actuation of the trigger release latch 22 and the flex of
the primary beam 18 is released by the user's physical response to
momentarily turn back the handle 10-17 in order to reset the
mechanism. This allows the trigger release latch 22 to be restored
to its initial position responsive to the urge of the convexly
curved flat spring 29. The reconnection of the primary and
secondary beams 18-20 is fully restored just as the preset torque
load (manually applied by the user) has been reached. Thereupon,
the work engaging head 12 may be either removed from the fastener
and applied to another fastener for like tightening or held in
readiness therefor. It should be observed that the curved flat
restoring spring 29 extends from the trigger release latch 22 to
engage the top edge of the primary beam 18 to normally maintain its
engagement with the secondary beam 20 at zero or at intermediate
torque turning loads until the preset load is reached.
At a point of flexing beams 18-20 to the predetermined load which
occurs when the trigger release latch 22 is displaced against the
urge of the spring 29 by the user's continued application of an
increasing torque load until the beams 18-20 flex sufficiently and
allows the trigger release latch 22 to contact the obstruction
which is the pin 31. This causes the spring 29 to yield while the
latch 22 pivots clockwise (viewed from FIG. 2) for effecting the
trigger release and the latch disconnect between the beams 18-20,
thereby momentarily allowing the manual release of the handle
member 10-17 from further torque load application. This momentary
disconnect audibly clicks and physically jars the user lightly to
signal the manual handle release of the applied turning torque load
because the predetermined load has been reached and the handle
member 10-17 should be slightly reversed in movement to reset the
trigger release latch 22. This momentary disconnect allows for
manual handle load release and tends to re-latch the trigger jaw 27
for engagement toward and onto the complementally stepped secondary
beam stepped end-shoulder 28.
Thus, the described preset mechanism 22-28 and 29 and the position
of the primary and secondary beams 18-20 are again operative to
carry the torque turning load to the preset value or to readjusted
preset load value depending upon the user's work requirements. With
the work engaging member 12 in registry with a fastener (assuming
the preset control is at a desired load setting, the gradual
increase in the turning load will cause bending of both beams 18-20
and elevate the trigger release latch 22 until its uppermost
arcuate surface 26 is disposed in the path of the stationary pin 31
and engages therewith to repeat the described cycle of operation.
The initial flexing of the primary beam 18 say to one-half of the
predetermined and preset load, and coincident thereto the secondary
beam 20 becomes loaded for flexing therewith as the compounds beams
18-20 sustain the load together and continue to elevate the trigger
release latch 22 until the latter is again obstructed by the
housing mounted depending pin 31 to depress the trigger release
latch 22 in a clockwise direction (viewed from FIGS. 2 and 5) until
the connection at 27-28 is broken at the moment the turning torque
load reaches the preset value to again repeat the cycle of
movements described supra.
The user is immediately alerted by the mechanical disconnect
constituting a definite audible and arm impact release signal that
the preset load has been attained. This is accomplished by a preset
control of extremely simple, accurate and effective calibrations
etched, stamped or otherwise impressed in the opposite surfaces of
the primary beam free end region 18' to define rectangular scale
areas (FIGS. 9 and 10) represented by linear scales 32-33, in this
instance, in foot pounds and inch pounds, respectively, on one side
(FIG. 10) and, in this instance, in Kilogram Meter and Newton Meter
scales 34-35, respectively, on the other side (FIG. 9) of the
primary beam end region 18'. These calibrated rectangular areas are
delineated by aligned viewing openings 36-37 of rectangular
configuration on opposite parallel walls of the housing handle
member 10-17 for registry with the calibrations 32-33 and 34-35
impressed respectively on the opposite surfaces of the primary beam
18--18'. When this interruption occurs at the time the preset load
has been reached and the release latch 22 has been effected at the
preset load, the primary beam 18 still retains a marked reserve of
elasticity which reduces the amount of over-torque to fasteners
even though the user inadvertently pulls through a greater arc than
the preset load calls for upon release.
In order to provide for accurate preset loads adjustments, a finger
manipulating and rotary micrometer related stud shaft 38 (FIG. 6)
is provided. The stud shaft 38 has simularily reduced shaft ends
39-40 with an intermediate and enlarged threaded portion 41
comprising part of an adjustable micromatic preset release
mechanism. The end regions 39-40 of the stud 38 are provided with
annular grooves 42-43 to which finger turning micrometer knobs
44-45 are attached by any suitable means such as Allen set screws
or the like. To this end, the knobs 44-45 have reduced tubular
shanks 46 (FIG. 7) for enabling their attachment to the reduced
ends of the micrometer stud 38. To this end, suitable set screws
(not shown) are provided through the knobs 38-44 to engage the
annular grooves 42-43 of the micrometer screw 38. The enlarged
threaded stud shoulder 41 of the micrometer screw 38 is in threaded
engagement with interior bores 47 provided through the primary beam
end region 18' intermediate the ends of the calibrated surfaces
33-34 thereof so that the latter may be manually pre-flexed and
displaced by either calibrated knob 38 or 44 depending upon the
measurement system involved in the setting.
The knobs 38 and 44 are cylindrically impressed with calibrations
44 and 45 which cooperate and are tied-in with the linear
calibrations 32-33 and 34-35, respectively, on opposite surfaces of
the beam end region 18' (FIGS. 1 and 2). These calibrations are
interconnected by inclined lines 48 coordinated therebetween for
presetting with extreme accuracy in relation to indexing lines
49-50 on the exterior surface of the housing 10 midpoint of the
viewing openings 36-37 therein. As the calibrations 32-33 or 34-35
come in view and the inclined lines 48 meet with the indexing lines
49 or 50, the predetermined torque load is pin-pointed thereon or
therebetween with the aid of the micrometer calibrations on the
knobs 44-45 which coordinate the calibrations 32-33 or 34-35
therewith in relation to the indexing lines 49-50.
The inclined calibration connecting lines 48 have an angle rate
that is coordinated with the pitch of the threads 41 and the
calibrations on the knobs 44-45. These calibrations are a function
of the pitch of the threads 41 or the number of threads per inch.
Assuming the width of the window 36 to be 1 inch, the inclined
lines 48 will progress across the ful opening width responsive to a
full turn of the knob 44 or 45 from zero (0) to full scale or the
line traverse will be one full inch across the viewing openings
36-37. The consequent linear traverse progresses the equivalent of
one linear inch of threads 41 which is the correlation therebetween
to calibrate for 1 foot-pound on scale 32 and 12 inch-pounds on
scale 33 (FIGS. 6, 9, and 10). The other measurement scales 34-35
on the bottom or reverse side of the housing or handle 10 are
commensurately calibrated with equal ease. This enables the
corresponding calibration for the full capacity of the compound
beams 18-20. The scale viewing openings 36-37 are sufficiently long
to enable the visual reading of the full scale of calibrations
32-33 and 34-35 so that the knobs 44-45 will be preset at any given
value over the full extent of the selected measurement scale
commensurate with the full functional capacity of the torque load
for which the selected plural beams 18-20 are designed.
It should be noted that the depending stud 31 constituting the
confronting stop for the trigger latch 22, is mounted in and
through the wall of the handle 10-17 by its exteriorly threaded
mount 31'. It may be desirable to provide a special top and
indentation in the mount 31' which is an accessible through the
wall of the handle 10 for registry with a complementary screwdriver
head (not shown) for registry therewith to enable ready adjustment
for initial zero adjustment or compensation for normal minor
variations over extended periods of use. The mount 31' provides for
the required beam flex or the extent of beam flex by adjusting the
depending position of the stud 31 which accurately obstructs the
trigger release latch 22 upon reaching the desired preset load. The
depending stud mount 31' threadedly extends through the handle
10-17 so that its stud 31 is accurately distanced from the trigger
latch surface 26 at the proper beam flex for the predetermined knob
setting commensurate with the applied torque load for fastener
turning. Contact between the depending stud 31 and the trigger
release latch surface 26 occurs sooner or later depending upon
whether or not the stud 31 is properly distanced relative to the
trigger latch surface 26 carried by the beams 18-20. Thus, the
reading for which the release trigger latch 22 is preset will be
effected to conform with the results indicated, this can be
accurately determined in advance of use while under test with a
special torque load tester such as but not limited to the type
illustrated in U.S. letters Pat. No. 3,255,624 issued May 31,
1966.
Torque loading by turning fasteners tight to a preset degree of
tightness, is not always accomplished manually in a plane normal to
the axis of the work engaging head shank 19, but mechanics
inadvertently apply turning force to the handle end 19 at abnormal
angles and this may cause or tend to cause the beams 18-20 with the
trigger latch 22 to contact and rub against the side walls of the
handle 10 serving as a housing therefor. This friction would
reflect upon the accuracy of the preset release and it is desirable
to minimize such friction by keeping the beams 18-20 in
longitudinal alignment in the housing handle 10 to avoid contact
therewith even under such abnormal turning conditions. It should be
noted that the preset position of the calibrated knobs 44-45 should
be locked against accidental turning during the turning movement of
the handle 10-17 while applying the torque load or during the
non-use thereof. This may be accomplished by providing a knurled
knob 51 complemental to and sized to correspond with the open
circular end 52 of the handle end region 17 for journalled
association therewith. A short stud 53 extends longitudinally
inwardly from the knob hub collar 54 to project into the patch of
another short stud 55 projecting radially relative to the hub
collar 54 and parallel thereto for limiting the rotation of the
knob 51 to approximately one revolution in both directions (FIGS. 3
and 8).
An elongated rod 56 extends axially within the end region of the
cylindrical handle end region 17 for press-fitted connection within
the axial recess 57 (FIG. 8) in the inner knob collar 54 to rotate
therewith. The inner end 58 of the knob rod 56, is threaded to
engage a correspondingly threaded aperture 59 in an angular flat
spring lock strap 60 (FIG. 4) that rocks for a very limited degree
on its rivet mount 61 loosely anchored to the inner wall of the
handle 10 in the end region 17 thereof. The spring lock strap 60
has a slightly curved arm 62 terminating in an open curved
bifurcation 63 which frictionally fits into an annular groove 64
provided in the collar 46 formed integral with the calibrated knob
44 (FIG. 7). Any rocking displacement of the spring plate 60
occasioned by the slight rotation of the knob 51 will vary the
friction holding engagement between the spring lock strap
bifurcation 63 and the knob groove 64, thereby holding the knob 44
with its threaded stub shaft 38 in its preset adjusted position. By
minimizing the friction of the strap bifurcation 60 through
rotation of the lock knob 51, the preset position of the beams
18-20 may be changed to suit the requirements of the work at hand.
After presetting, the lock knob 51 is again turned for the friction
retention thereof. The lock knob 51 may be properly marked on its
end surface to designate the off-on lock positions thereof. It will
be appreciated, therefore, that the reduced number of parts
involved in this preset type of torque wrench so that minimum
production expense is involved and simplicity of operation promotes
utmost dependability as well as accuracy.
Various changes may be made in the embodiment of the invention
herein specifically described without departing from or sacrificing
any of the advantages of the invention or any features thereof, and
nothing herein shall be construed as limitations upon the
invention, its concept or structural embodiment as to the whole or
any part thereof except as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *