Rotary shaft torque-limiting device

Claim 2

A torque-control mechanism for use with a rotary shaft comprising: a planetary gear set including first, second and third members, the first member of said gear set being the driven member and the second member of said gear set being a driving member; lever means operably connected to the third member of said gear set; and magnetic means, adapted to engage said lever means to maintain said lever means stationary and prevent rotation of the third member of said gear set until the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set exceeds the magnetic force exerted on said lever means by said magnetic means, thereby disengaging said lever means from said magnetic means.

Claim 3

A torque control mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said lever means includes a pivotal lever, said magnetic means being adjustable in a plane parallel to said lever to vary the distance of said magnetic means from the lever pivot point for adjusting the effective length of said lever and therefore the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member to said gear at necessary to disengage said pivotal lever from said magnetic means.

Claim 4

A torque control mechanism for use with a rotary shaft comprising; a planetary gear set including first, second, and third members, the first member of said gear set being the driven member and the second member of said gear set being a driving member; lever means operably connected to the third member of said gear set; magnetic means operably associated with said lever means to engage said lever means and maintain the third member of said gear set stationary until the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set exceeds the magnetic force exerted by said magnetic means on said lever means, said lever means including a pivotal lever, said magnetic means including a block of nonmagnetic material having a magnet disposed therein, said block being adjustable relative to said lever to vary the area of contact between said lever and said magnet and therefore the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set necessary to disengage said pivotal lever from said magnetic means.

Claim 5

A torque control mechanism for use with a rotary shaft comprising; a planetary gear set including first, second, and third members, the first member of said gear set being the driven member and the second member of said gear set being a driving member; lever means operably connected to the third member of said gear set; magnetic means operably associated with said lever means to engage said lever means and maintain the third member of said gear set stationary until the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set exceeds the magnetic force exerted by said magnetic means on said lever means, said lever means including a pivotal lever, said magnetic means including a block of nonmagnetic material having a magnet disposed therein, said block being adjustable relative to said lever to vary the area of contact between said lever and said magnet and therefore the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set necessary to disengage said pivotal lever from said magnetic means.

Claim 6

A torque-controlled tool comprising a housing; a motor disposed in said housing; a planetary gear set having first, second, and third members disposed in said housing, the first member of said gear set being driven by said motor, the second member of said gear set being adapted to drive a rotary tool; lever means operably connected to the third member of said gear set; and magnetic means, adapted to engage said lever means to maintain said lever means stationary and prevent rotation of the third member of said gear set until the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set exceeds the magnetic force exerted on said lever means by said magnetic means, thereby disengaging said lever means from said magnetic means.

Claim 7

A torque-controlled tool comprising a housing; a motor disposed in said housing; a planetary gear set having first, second, and third members disposed in said housing, the first member of said gear set being driven by said motor, the second member of said gear set being adapted to drive a rotary tool; lever means operably connected to the third member of said gear set; and magnetic means, adapted to engage said lever means to maintain said lever means stationary and prevent rotation of the third member of said gear set until the reactive force between the third member of said gear set and the second member of said gear set exceeds the magnetic force exerted on said lever means by said magnetic means, thereby disengaging said lever means from said magnetic means.

Claim 8

A torque-controlled tool according to claim 4 wherein the third member of said gear set is a ring gear having a slot formed therein; said lever means including a shaft journaled in said housing parallel to the axis of said motor; and a lever affixed to one end of said shaft adapted for engagement with the slot in said ring gear, said magnetic means maintaining said lever means stationary thereby preventing rotation of said ring gear.

Claim 9

A torque-controlled tool according to claim 5 further including a second lever affixed to the other end of said shaft, and, control means disposed opposite the Free end of said second lever, contact of said control means by said lever shutting off the supply of power to said motor, said magnetic means being disposed on the side of said second lever opposite said control means and being adapted to hold said second lever stationary until the reactive force between said ring gear and said second member exceeds the magnetic force, thereby causing said second lever to break away from said magnetic means and contact said control means to stop said motor.

Claim 10

A torque-controlled tool according to claim 6 wherein said magnetic means includes a block of nonmagnetic material having a magnet disposed therein, said block being adjustable relative to said second lever to vary the area of contact between said lever and said magnet and therefore the reactive force between the driving member of said gear set and said ring gear necessary to break said lever away from said magnet.

Claim 11

A torque-controlled tool comprising a housing, a motor disposed in said housing, a planetary gear set having first, second, and third members disposed in said housing, the first member of said gear set being driven by said motor, the second member of said gear set being adapted to drive a rotary tool, the third member of said gear set being a ring gear having a slot formed therein; a shaft journaled in said housing parallel to the axis of said motor; a lever affixed to one end of said shaft adapted for engagement with the slot in said ring gear; a second lever affixed to the other end of said shaft; control means disposed opposite the free end of said second lever, contact of said control means by said lever shutting off the supply of power to said motor; magnetic means disposed on the side of said second lever opposite said control means and being adapted to hold said second lever stationary until the reactive force between the ring gear and the driving member of the gear set exceeds the force exerted by said magnetic means on said second lever, thereby causing said second lever to disengage from said magnetic means and contact said control means to stop said motor, said magnetic means being adjustable in a plane parallel to said second lever to vary the distance of said magnetic means from said shaft for adjusting the effective length of said second lever and therefore the reactive force between the driving member of said gear set and said ring gear necessary to break said second lever away from said magnetic means.

Claim 12

A torque-controlled tool comprising a housing, a motor disposed in said housing, a planetary gear set having first, second, and third members disposed in said housing, the first member of said gear set being driven by said motor, the second member of said gear set being adapted to drive a rotary tool, the third member of said gear set being a ring gear having a slot formed therein; a shaft journaled in said housing parallel to the axis of said motor; a lever affixed to one end of said shaft adapted for engagement with the slot in said ring gear; a second lever affixed to the other end of said shaft; control means disposed opposite the free end of said second lever, contact of said control means by said lever shutting off the supply of power to said motor; magnetic means disposed on the side of said second lever opposite said control means and being adapted to hold said second lever stationary until the reactive force between the ring gear and the driving member of the gear set exceeds the force exerted by said magnetic means on said second lever, thereby causing said second lever to disengage from said magnetic means and contact said control means to stop said motor, said magnetic means being adjustable in a plane parallel to said second lever to vary the distance of said magnetic means from said shaft for adjusting the effective length of said second lever and therefore the reactive force between the driving member of said gear set and said ring gear necessary to break said second lever away from said magnetic means.