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US3763724A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Automatic torque release wrench of the preset type

Assignee: Snap On Inc
•
Filing: 1971-07-26
•
Granted: 1973-10-09
•
Expires: 1991-07-26
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Abstract

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 the internal wall of the tubular handle member, thereby mechanically releasing its connection therewith so that the load in the primary beam momentarily equals the combined bending load originally sustained by both primary and secondary beams. A calibrated multiple scale slide fitted with a pivotal ramp cooperates with the spring urged primary beam end to preset the release of the secondary beam relative to the trigger latch connection therebetween at any applied turning load within the capacity range of the torque wrench as preset on any scale of the calibrated slide which is viewed through openings on both sides of the tubular handle member serving also as a housing for the instrumentalities. When the applied load equals the preset value on the calibrated scale, the trigger latch engages the inside wall of the housing, thereby releasing the secondary beam which causes an audible signal and also a sudden relaxation of part of the applied force or torque to create a momentary interruption which effects a mild vaibratory shock and an audible click due to the trigger latch disconnect between the beams to notify the user that the preset load has been reached. The user then stops applying any further turning load, and this momentary release will permit the spring urged trigger latch and the primary beam to re-connect the parts for further application of the wrench to another fastener.

Inventors

  • 👤 T Green

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 20:24
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/14; B25B23/142; B25B23/1422; B25B23/1427

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 174 words
A preset torque wrench or the like comprising a rigid 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, means for detachably connecting said flex beams together to share the torque load and to displace said first named means commensurate with the flex of said beams, said detachable means being displaced a fixed distance with said beams until actuated by engagement with a confronting wall of said tubular handle member to limit any further displacement thereof to effect the release of said beams from each other, and calibrated scale means adjustably associated with said handle member and operatively connected to one of said beams to control the flexing moment arm thereof, thereby presetting the load at which said detachable beam connecting means is actuated to release said beams from connected engagement to signal and momentarily arrest any further torque load turning of said work engaging member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 174 words
A preset torque wrench or the like comprising a rigid 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, means for detachably connecting said flex beams together to share the torque load and to displace said first named means commensurate with the flex of said beams, said detachable means being displaced a fixed distance with said beams until actuated by engagement with a confronting wall of said tubular handle member to limit any further displacement thereof to effect the release of said beams from each other, and calibrated scale means adjustably associated with said handle member and operatively connected to one of said beams to control the flexing moment arm thereof, thereby presetting the load at which said detachable beam connecting means is actuated to release said beams from connected engagement to signal and momentarily arrest any further torque load turning of said work engaging member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 44 words
A preset torque load wrench defined in claim 1 wherein said calibrated scale means includes slidably and pivotally adjustable ramp means connected thereto for adjustable positioning relative to said beam to adjust the preset load limit at which said detachable connecting means is released.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
A preset torque load wrench defined in claim 2 wherein said calibrated scale means is slidable relative to an opening in said handle member to preset the load limit of release for said detachable connecting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 44 words
A preset torque load wrench defined in claim 3 wherein said calibrated scale means has spaced surfaces to receive multi-scale calibrations for viewing relative to an indexing point on said viewing opening to preset said detachable connecting means in a multiple of measuring systems.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 36 words
A preset torque load wrench defined in claim 4 wherein means including an external control on said handle means operatively connect with said slidable calibrated means to selectively lock said latter means in any adjusted position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 44 words
A preset torque load wrench defined in claim 5 wherein said handle member has oppositely aligned multiple scale viewing openings therein, and said slide member has parallel surfaces for receiving calibrations in different measuring systems on each surface for viewing through said handle openings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 63 words
A preset torque wrench or the like defined in claim 2 wherein the superposed flex beams consist of s substantially longer primary flex beam and a shorter flex beam above the primary beam, and said independently operable detachable connecting means and ramp means are mounted on said primary flex beam to control the release of said shorter flex beam at a preset load.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 27 words
A preset torque wrench or the like defined in claim 7 wherein said ramp means are pivotally mounted to a multi-scale slide mounted in said handle member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 42 words
A preset torque wrench or the like defined in claim 8 wherein adjustable screw means are mounted on said primary flex beam to control the pivotal position of said ramp means relative to said multi-sCale slide displaceably mounted in said handle member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
A preset torque wrench or the like defined in claim 9 wherein means are provided on said handle member to lock said multi-scale slide in any preset position within the limits of its displacement.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3608403A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1976-10-08 1977-04-09 1977-10-09 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1980-10-08 1981-04-09 1981-10-09 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1984-10-08 1985-04-09 1985-10-09 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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