LOCKING MEMBER FOR ADJUSTABLE TORQUE WRENCH
A torque wrench may include a head having a driving member configured to be operably coupled to a socket, a handle, a lever arm operably coupled to the head and the handle at respective opposing ends thereof, a torque adjuster configured to enable a torque setting of the torque wrench to be adjusted and an adjustment channel which may be disposed between the handle and the torque adjuster. A locking member may be disposed within the adjustment channel to block the torque adjuster from changing the torque setting.
1 . A torque wrench comprising:
a head including a driving member configured to be operably coupled to a socket;
a handle;
a lever arm operably coupled to the head and the handle at respective opposing ends thereof;
a torque adjuster configured to enable a torque setting of the torque wrench to be adjusted; and
an adjustment channel disposed between the handle and the torque adjuster,
wherein a locking member is disposed within the adjustment channel to block the torque adjuster from changing the torque setting.
2 . The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein the torque adjuster comprises a collar slidable between an unlocked position, in which the torque setting is adjustable, and a locked position, in which the torque setting is fixed.
3 . The torque wrench of claim 2 , wherein the locking member blocks the collar from sliding into the unlocked position.
4 . The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is permanently operably coupled to the torque wrench.
5 . The torque wrench of claim 4 , wherein the locking member must be removed from the torque wrench to change the torque setting via the torque adjuster.
6 . The torque wrench of claim 5 , wherein the locking member must be broken to be removed from the torque wrench.
7 . The torque wrench of claim 6 , wherein the locking member cannot be reinstalled onto the torque wrench after being removed.
8 . The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is comprised of a plastic material.
9 . The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is comprised of an epoxy.
10 . The torque wrench of claim 1 , wherein the locking member is a heat shrunk wrap disposed around at least a portion of the handle and at least a portion of the torque adjuster.
11 . A locking member for an adjustable torque wrench, wherein the locking member prohibits the adjustable torque wrench from changing a torque setting by blocking a torque adjuster of the adjustable torque wrench,
wherein the locking member is disposed within an adjustment channel of the torque wrench that is disposed between a handle and the torque adjuster, and
wherein the locking member is permanently operably coupled to the adjustable torque wrench.
12 . The locking member of claim 11 , wherein the torque adjuster comprises a collar slidable between an unlocked position, in which the torque setting is adjustable, and a locked position, in which the torque setting is fixed.
13 . The locking member of claim 12 , wherein the locking member blocks the collar from sliding into the unlocked position.
14 . The locking member of claim 11 , wherein the locking member must be removed from the torque wrench to change the torque setting via the torque adjuster.
15 . The locking member of claim 14 , wherein the locking member must be broken to be removed from the torque wrench.
16 . The locking member of claim 15 , wherein the locking member cannot be reinstalled onto the torque wrench after being removed.
17 . The locking member of claim 11 , wherein the locking member is comprised of a plastic material.
18 . The locking member of claim 11 , wherein the locking member is comprised of an epoxy.
19 . The locking member of claim 11 , wherein the locking member is a heat shrunk wrap disposed around at least a portion of the handle and at least a portion of the torque adjuster.
20 . The locking member of claim 11 , wherein the locking member is annular in shape.