Apparatus for applying a controlled amount of torque

US6499358B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• SHERWOOD SERVICES AG · CH

Inventors

• Michael P. Hogan · Carmel, US
• Thomas G. Neal, Jr. · Appleton, US
• Jason P. Small · Boulder, US
• Arlan J. Reschke · Longmont, US
• Terrance M. Duffin · Westminster, US
• Arthur Schoenman · Longmont, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 27, 1999
• Grant date: Dec 31, 2002
• Expiry date: Dec 27, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B25B23/1427
• WIPO field: Machine tools
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A torque apparatus for the installation and removal of threaded connecting device that employs a plurality of leaf spring elements engaging a plurality of asymmetrical drive teeth sides to establish preset torque values in a hermetically sealed configuration or a variable range of preset torque values in a second configuration. The preset torque values can be readily changed in the second configuration by employing different quantities of leaf springs, differing leaf spring designs, or varying the geometry of the rotor drive teeth. The leaf spring to rotor drive teeth interface provides a slip mechanism to prevent over-torquing when torque values for the installation of a threaded connecting type device is exceeded. While both torque wrench configurations are sterilizable, the torque wrench that is capable of full disassembly for sterilization and use thereafter in a sterilized environment, is reconfigurable for different torque applications without calibration. The wrench can be primarily constructed as disposable device.