US4063474A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Torque limiting screwdriver
Assignee: Ryeson Corp
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Filing: 1975-11-06
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Granted: 1977-12-20
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Expires: 1995-11-06
Abstract
Abstract The improved torque limiting screwdriver described hereinafter includes an elongated bit receptacle that extends into a handle or gripping portion. An operative connection is made between the handle and the bit receptacle by a torque limiting device that can be adjusted to release at predetermined torque settings. The end of the gripping portion opposite to that from which the bit receptacle extends is provided with a cap member that is interconnected with means for adjusting the torque setting. The cap member provides an extension of the gripping portion and presents a smooth end to the user to avoid discomfort during the use of the screwdriver. A threaded fastener extends through the cap member into the gripping portion so that the preset torque can be locked into the torque limiting screwdriver and, thus, avoid the possibility of an inadvertent change of the desired torque setting.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman Conrad Klopping
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:28
CPC Classifications
B; B25; B25B; B25B23/00; B25B23/14; B25B23/142; B25B23/1422; B25B23/1427
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
In an improved torque limiting screwdriver including a bit receptacle extending from one end of a generally cylindrical gripping means and rotatably adjustable torque limiting means operably connecting the bit receptacle with the gripping means, and the gripping means includes a plurality of radially spaced holes extending generally parallel to the bit receptacle, the improvement comprising a cap member arranged to be located at the other end of the gripping means and having: an exterior wall portion generally conforming to the gripping means; an exterior end portion providing an essentially smooth surface; a surface portion smoothly connecting said wall and end portions; a connection portion located interiorly of said wall portion connected for rotation with the torque limiting means, whereby rotation of said cap member relatively to the gripping means adjusts the torque limit of said screwdriver while said cap member prevents discomfort to the user of said screwdriver when force is applied thereto; a hole through said end portion aligned with the holes in the gripping means; and releasable fastening means located in the hole in said cap member and arranged to be located in one of the holes in the gripping member to prevent inadvertent rotation of the cap member relative to the gripping means and releasable therefrom to permit relative rotation therebetween to adjust the torque limit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
In an improved torque limiting screwdriver including a bit receptacle extending from one end of a generally cylindrical gripping means and rotatably adjustable torque limiting means operably connecting the bit receptacle with the gripping means, and the gripping means includes a plurality of radially spaced holes extending generally parallel to the bit receptacle, the improvement comprising a cap member arranged to be located at the other end of the gripping means and having: an exterior wall portion generally conforming to the gripping means; an exterior end portion providing an essentially smooth surface; a surface portion smoothly connecting said wall and end portions; a connection portion located interiorly of said wall portion connected for rotation with the torque limiting means, whereby rotation of said cap member relatively to the gripping means adjusts the torque limit of said screwdriver while said cap member prevents discomfort to the user of said screwdriver when force is applied thereto; a hole through said end portion aligned with the holes in the gripping means; and releasable fastening means located in the hole in said cap member and arranged to be located in one of the holes in the gripping member to prevent inadvertent rotation of the cap member relative to the gripping means and releasable therefrom to permit relative rotation therebetween to adjust the torque limit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
141 words
In the improved screwdriver of claim 1 wherein the torque limit means includes a pin for connecting the torque limit means to said cap member and the gripping means includes serrations in the end thereof adjacent to the cap means, said cap means also including: a slot in said connection portion to receive the pin permitting movement of said cap member relatively away from the gripping means while connecting said cap member to the torque limiting means for rotation therewith; serrations in said cap member for making engagement with the serrations in the gripping member, said serrations and spaced holes being located in spaced relationship whereby said fastening means will be aligned with one of the holes in the gripping means when said serrations are engaged to lock the torque limit means in the desired adjusted position preventing inadvertent changes therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
176 words
In an improved torque limiting screwdriver including a bit receptacle extending from one end of a generally cylindrical gripping means and rotatably adjustable torque limiting means, including a pin, operable connecting the bit receptacle with the gripping means, the improvement comprising a cap member arranged to be located at the other end of the gripping means and having: an exterior wall portion generally conforming to the gripping means; an exterior end portion providing an essentially smooth surface; a surface portion smoothly connecting said wall and end portions; and a connection portion located interiorly of said wall portion connected for rotation with the torque limiting means, whereby rotation of said cap member relative to the gripping means adjusts the torque limit of said screwdriver while said cap member prevents discomfort to the user of said screwdriver when force is applied thereto, and said connection portion including a slot to receive the pin permitting movement of said cap member relatively away from the gripping means while connecting said cap member to the torque limit means for rotation therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
176 words
In an improved torque limiting screwdriver including a bit receptacle extending from one end of a generally cylindrical gripping means and rotatably adjustable torque limiting means, including a pin, operable connecting the bit receptacle with the gripping means, the improvement comprising a cap member arranged to be located at the other end of the gripping means and having: an exterior wall portion generally conforming to the gripping means; an exterior end portion providing an essentially smooth surface; a surface portion smoothly connecting said wall and end portions; and a connection portion located interiorly of said wall portion connected for rotation with the torque limiting means, whereby rotation of said cap member relative to the gripping means adjusts the torque limit of said screwdriver while said cap member prevents discomfort to the user of said screwdriver when force is applied thereto, and said connection portion including a slot to receive the pin permitting movement of said cap member relatively away from the gripping means while connecting said cap member to the torque limit means for rotation therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
In the improved screwdriver of claim 3, wherein the gripping means includes serrations in the end thereof adjacent to said cap member and said cap member has mating serrations in the exterior wall portion thereof adjacent to the gripping member, whereby said cap member can be located with the serrations disengaged permitting rotation of said cap member relative to the gripping means to adjust the torque limit or engaged to prevent rotation of said cap member relative to the gripping member.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-12-19 | 1981-06-20 | 1981-12-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-12-19 | 1985-06-20 | 1985-12-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-12-19 | 1989-06-20 | 1989-12-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |