Ratcheting torque wrench
View Patent ↗A disposable ratcheting device and method is disclosed, which may include a shaft extending axially through at least a shank. The shank also provides a cup or chamber wherein a series of drive bodies reside in a movable fashion. The shank is placed in a body having an inner wall with teeth formed radially, The drive bodies have toes protruding beyond the shank and which, in a locked direction, engage the teeth inside the body.
1. A torque-limiting ratchet driver comprising:
a body ( 6 ) having a handle ( 4 ) and an inner annular wall ( 402 );
an upper clutch shank ( 800 ) with gear teeth ( 83 ) on one side and an annular wall ( 90 ) around a periphery on the opposite side forming a peripheral wall of drive body guides;
a lower shank ( 700 ) having a drive socket ( 9 ) on one side and gear teeth ( 83 ) on the opposing side;
a nut ( 25 );
a spacer ( 20 );
a spring ( 22 ) with an outer and an inner diameter between the upper cylindrical shank and a ribbed nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper clutch shank and the lower shank;
a shaft ( 14 ) having a workpiece-engaging tip ( 12 ) and a drive connection ( 16 ) engaged within the drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank, the shaft extending axially through the lower shank, the upper clutch shank, and the spring and connected to the nut;
a plurality of ratchet teeth ( 405 ) formed or molded on the inner annular wall;
one or more of movable drive bodies ( 300 ) mounted to the upper clutch shank with a toe ( 303 ) that protrudes through a passageway ( 200 ) beyond the annular wall to engage a ratchet tooth when rotated in a positive lock direction;
wherein the upper shank and the lower clutch shank engage for relative rotation, and wherein the upper clutch shank and the lower shank disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded; and,
wherein the upper shank and the lower clutch shank move in the a reverse direction without imparting torque.
2. The torque-limiting ratchet driver of claim 1 wherein when a plurality of movable drive bodies move in an unlocked direction they do not engage the ratchet teeth.
3. The torque-limiting ratchet driver of claim 1 further comprising:
drive body guides ( 202 );
mounting posts ( 204 ) within the drive body guides;
a passageway fluidly connecting each drive body guide to the inner annular wall of the body;
series of openings fluidly connecting drive body guides having mounting posts formed therein; and,
whereby the toes protrude and may engage the ratchet teeth.
4. The torque-limiting ratchet driver of claim 3 wherein each drive body includes:
a post guide ( 302 ) that mates with the mounting post;
a toe instep ( 305 );
a heel ( 306 ); and,
flexible ankle ( 308 ).
5. The torque-limiting ratchet driver of claim 4 further comprising:
a first interior wall ( 205 ); and,
wherein the flexible ankle flexes against the first interior wall during ratcheting to allow the body to rotate in the unlocked without imparting torque to the tip.
6. The torque-limiting ratchet driver of claim 4 further comprising:
a first interior wall; and,
wherein each heel engages each of a second interior walls ( 207 ) as bearing surfaces and locks the toes against the ratchet teeth.