Torque stick and wrench
A torque stick and torque wrench combination is provided that allows attachment of the torque stick to an impact tool to quickly fasten a nut or lug to an approximate desired torque. The operator can attach a torque wrench to an aperture of the torque stick to complete the fastening operation and achieve higher accuracy on the applied torque than a torque stick alone. In this way, the combination torque stick and torque wrench enable a greater degree of accuracy on the fastener's torque. The operator can also complete the fastening process without disassembling the connection of the torque stick from the lug.
1 . A torque stick, comprising:
an elongated shaft, the elongated shaft comprising a flex region and extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end opposite the first end;
a socket at the first end of the elongated shaft that is configured to couple to a rotary tool;
an impact tool attachment at the second end of the elongated shaft that couples to a fastener;
a torquing aperture along the elongated shaft between the first end and the second end, the torquing aperture configured to receive a wrench within the torquing aperture of the torque stick; and
a dynamic torque specification based on a thickness and an elastic modulus of the elongated shaft, wherein the dynamic torque specification indicates an applied dynamic torque limit under dynamic impact load;
wherein, when the torque stick is under a dynamic impact load from the rotary tool above the dynamic torque specification, the flex region of the elongated shaft deflects such that a portion of the dynamic impact load is absorbed by the torque stick and the torque applied by the impact tool attachment is less than or equal to the dynamic torque specification.
2 . The torque stick of claim 1 , further comprising a static torque specification for the torque stick based on the thickness and the elastic modulus of the elongated shaft, wherein the static torque specification is indicated on the elongated shaft near the torquing aperture, the static torque specification indicates an applied static torque limit under continuous load.
3 . The torque stick of claim 1 , wherein the elongated shaft has a thickness and elastic modulus that support a dynamic load of less than or equal to 100 ft-lb torque.
4 . The torque stick of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is centrally located between the socket at the first end and the impact tool attachment at the second end.
5 . The torque stick of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is located along the longitudinal axis closer to the socket at the first end than to the impact tool attachment at the second end.
6 . The torque stick of claim 1 , wherein the aperture is located along the longitudinal axis closer to the impact tool attachment at the second end than to the socket at the first end.
7 . The torque stick of claim 1 , further comprising an attachment end in the torquing aperture, wherein the attachment end couples to a torque wrench.
8 . The torque stick of claim 7 , wherein the torque wrench comprises a handle with an external diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the aperture, such that the torque wrench is limited from extending through the aperture.
9 . The torque stick of claim 7 , further comprising a torque scale on the torque wrench, wherein the torque scale is aligned with an edge on the attachment end of the aperture, wherein when the torque scale is aligned with the edge of the aperture, the torque wrench is limited to a torque specification indicated on the torque scale.
10 . The torque stick of claim 1 , wherein the dynamic torque specification is indicated on the elongated shaft near the torquing aperture.