Granted Patent B2

US 7,469,602 · App. 12/053,710 · Granted Dec 30, 2008

Abstract

Claims (35)

1. A torque wrench for engaging a workpiece, comprising;

a wrench body having a first end and a second end;

a wrench head disposed on said first end of said wrench body, said wrench head being configured to engage the workpiece;

a display device carried by said wrench body, said display device including a housing, a display, and an input device for inputting a preset torque value;

a torque sensor carried by said wrench head;

an electrical connection between said torque sensor and said display device;

a detent extending outwardly from one of said wrench body, said wrench head, and said user interface; and

a plurality of recesses formed in another of said wrench body, said wrench head, and said user interface, each said recess being configured to releasably receive said detent;

wherein said display device is rotatable relative to said wrench head about a longitudinal center axis of said wrench body so that said detent is received by one of said recesses for retaining said display device in a desired angular position with regard to said wrench head.

2. The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein:

said detent extends outwardly from said wrench body; and

said plurality of recesses are formed in an inner cylindrical surface of said display device;

wherein said display device is rotatable about said wrench body.

3. The torque wrench of claim 2 , wherein said inner cylindrical surface is a portion of said housing of said display device.

4. The torque wrench of claim 3 , wherein movement of said detent from a first recess to an adjacent said recess requires application of a predetermined torque to said display device about said wrench body.

5. The torque wrench of claim 3 , wherein said wrench head further comprises a ratcheting drive head that is rotatably fixed to said wrench body.

6. The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein:

said detent extends inwardly from an inner cylindrical surface of said display device; and

said plurality of recesses is formed in an outer cylindrical surface of said wrench body;

wherein said display device is rotatable about said wrench body.

7. The torque wrench of claim 6 , wherein said inner cylindrical surface is a portion of said display device housing.

8. The torque wrench of claim 7 , wherein said wrench head further comprises a ratcheting drive head that is rotatably fixed to said wrench body.

9. The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein:

said detent extends inwardly from said wrench body; and

said plurality of recesses are formed in an outer cylindrical surface of said wrench head;

wherein said wrench body is rotatable about said wrench head.

10. The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein:

said detent extends outwardly from said wrench head; and

said plurality of recesses are formed in an inner cylindrical surface of said wrench body;

wherein said wrench body is rotatable about said wrench head.

11. The torque wrench of claim 10 , wherein said wrench head further comprises a ratcheting drive head.

12. The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein said torque sensor further comprises at least one strain gage.

13. The torque wrench of claim 1 , further comprising a grip handle disposed on said second end of said wrench body.

14. The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein said display further comprises a digital display.

15. The torque wrench of claim 1 , further comprising an annunciator disposed on said display device.

Assignments (17)