TORQUE WRENCH

Abstract

The invention relates to a torque wrench, which has a lever tube (3) having a handle (4) and has an indicating body (9) for indicating a set torque. The indicating body can be a scale housing or a scale sleeve. The handle (4) has a connecting piece (18), which points toward the indicating body (9) and which has a groove (19) on the outer periphery. Coupling segments directed toward the connecting piece (18) and having an abutment edge are provided on the indicating body (9). The handle (4) and the indicating body (9) are coupled by means of a locking ring (16). The locking ring (16) has blocking bodies for this purpose, which interact with the groove (19) on the connecting piece (18) and the abutment edges of the coupling segments in a locking manner. The torque wrench according to the invention is distinguished by the modular handle system thereof and enables economical production by means of structurally identical series together with simple assembly processes.

Claims

1. A torque wrench comprising a lever tube (3) with a grip (4) and an indicating body (9, 50) for indicating a set torque characterized in that the grip (4) has a connection piece (18) facing the indicating bodies (9, 50) with a groove (19) on the outer diameter and on indication body (9, 50) for coupling segments (21) directed toward a connection piece (18) with an envisaged abutment edge (24) and the grip (4) and the indicating body (9, 50) are coupled through a locking ring (16, 49), wherein the locking ring (16, 49) comprises a locking body (28), which works with the groove (19) on the connection piece (18) as well as the abutment edges (24) of the coupling segments (21).

2. A torque wrench in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the locking ring (16, 49) is transportable through a rotational movement in its locking position (AP).

3. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that the locking body (28) includes pawls (30) built in a spring limb (29) of a locking ring (16, 49).

4. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the abutment edges (24) are built on the locking grooves (23) of the coupling segments (21).

5. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1 characterized in that a guiding element (34) is envisaged on the locking body (28) which interacts with a control curve (26) on the indicating body (9, 50)

6. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the control curve (26) is built on an arc-formed extending control groove (25).

7. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the indicating body (9) comprises a latching lug (27) which is engaged in a guiding groove (35) in the locking ring (16).

8. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that a detent edge (39) is built in the guiding groove (35) on which the latching lug (27) comes to bear via the abutments in the locking position (AP) of the locking ring (16).

9. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 8, characterized in that the detent edge (39) is built on a latching lug (38) which receives the latching lug (27).

10. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the outer wall (36) of the locking ring (16) has an opening (43) in the area of the locking pocket (38).

11. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the locking ring (49) has a spring tab (52) with a locking cam (53) protruding toward the indicating body (50) and the indicating body (50) has a guiding groove (57) with an inclined extending guide way (58), wherein a latching recess is envisaged at an end (59) of the guideway (58) and the locking cam (53) engaged in the latching recess (60) via its abutment edges in a locking position (AP) of the locking ring (49) in the latching recess (60).

12. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the locking cam (53) is arranged on the free-end (54) of the spring tab (52).

13. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the spring tab (52) has a cut-out (56) on the side (55) opposite the locking groove (53) of the locking ring (49).

14. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 11, characterized in that the indicating body (50) has an opening (64) in its outer wall (63) within the area of the latching recess (60).

15. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the indicating body (9, 50) is a scale house (10, 65).

16. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the indicating body (9, 50) is a scale sleeve (13, 51).

17. Torque wrench in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that tooth elements (46) are envisaged at the free-end (45) of the connection piece (18) which engage with the driver elements (47) of the scale sleeve (13, 51).

Description

[0041] The invention is described below in more detail through embodiment samples presented in the drawing illustrating the following:

[0042] FIG. 1 A torque wrench with an indicating body in the form of a scale house.

[0043] FIG. 2 The grip area of the torque wrench in accordance with FIG. 1 in an enlarged presentation.

[0044] FIG. 3 A torque wrench with an indicating body in the form of a scale sleeve.

[0045] FIG. 4 A grip area of the torque wrench in accordance with FIG. 3 in an enlarged presentation.

[0046] FIG. 5 A view, partially within a vertical profile, of the grip area of the torque wrench in accordance with FIG. 1.

[0047] FIG. 6 A view, partially within a vertical profile, of the grip area of the torque wrench in accordance with FIG. 3.

[0048] FIG. 7 A grip in a side view.

[0049] FIG. 8 A grip in a perspective view.

[0050] FIG. 9 An indicating body in the form of a scale house in a perspective presentation format.

[0051] FIG. 10 A frontal view of the grip side at the end of the indicating body in accordance with FIG. 9.

[0052] FIG. 11 An indicating body in the form of a scale sleeve in a perspective presentation format.

[0053] FIG. 12 A frontal view of the grip side of the indicating body according to FIG. 11.

[0054] FIG. 13 A locking ring in a perspective presentation.

[0055] FIG. 14 A frontal view of the presentation of FIG. 13.

[0056] FIG. 15 The perspective of a scale sleeve and a locking ring prior to assembling.

[0057] FIG. 16 The presentation corresponding to FIG. 15 from another perspective presentation.

[0058] FIG. 17 The indicating body and the locking ring in a combined position.

[0059] FIG. 18 A presentation corresponding to FIG. 17 in an oblique view from the rear.

[0060] FIG. 19 The presentation corresponding to FIG. 18 with an oblique view of the indicating bodies and the sides.

[0061] FIG. 20 A view, partially within a vertical profile, of the presentation of the grip with a locking ring positioned on the connection piece.

[0062] FIG. 21 A prospective presentation of the handle grip and an indicating body in the form of a scale sleeve prior to mounting without the presentation of a locking ring.

[0063] FIGS. 22a and b The torque wrench with an indicating body in the form of a scale house in two distinct prospective views.

[0064] FIGS. 23a and b The torque wrench with an indicating body in the form of a scale sleeve in two distinct perspective views.

[0065] FIG. 24a to h The locking ring and indicating body in the form of a scale sleeve of an additional embodiment of a torque wrench in distinct views.

[0066] FIGS. 25a and b A perspective and frontal view of an indicating body in the form of a scale house.

[0067] FIGS. 26a and b A torque wrench with an indicating body in the form of a scale sleeve corresponding to the presentation of FIG. 24 in two perspective views and

[0068] FIGS. 27a and b An appropriately adapted torque wrench with an indicating body in the form of a scale house in two perspective view.

[0069] Correlating components and construction components are equipped with similar reference signs in the drawings.

[0070] FIGS. 1 and 3 show torque wrench 1 and 2, respectively, comprising lever tube 3 with grip 4 on rear end 5 and toolhead 6 on frontal end 7.

[0071] An adjustment mechanism (not presented here) is envisaged in lever tube 3. Adjustment occurs via rotation of grip 4. For this purpose grip 4 can be unlocked and/or interlocked. This is done via locking ring 8 which can be brought to a releasing and/or locking position via a rotational movement. In order to secure the set torques against maladjustments during the use of torque wrench 1 and 2, grip 4 will be set into operating position on the lever tube 3 via locking ring 8.

[0072] The set torque can be read on an indicator within the indicating body 9. Indicating body 9 is designed as a scale house 10 with a scale window 11 in torque wrench 1. Indication of the torque occurs via a pointer 12 and a vernier 48. Grip 4 is moved during a rotational movement and/or torque adjustment. In this regard, grip 4 goes along with scale house 10 in an axial direction (not, however, in a radial direction and/or peripheral direction toward lever tube 3).

[0073] Indicating body 9 is designed in the form of a scale sleeve 13 in Torque Wrench 2. Scale sleeve 13 carries a vernier 14. Lever tube 3 is equipped with a scale 15. Scale sleeve 13 is rotated simultaneously and, at the same time, shifted toward lever tube 3 during the rotation movement of grip 4 in order to adjust the torque.

[0074] FIGS. 2 and 4 show an enlarged section of the grip area of torque wrench 1 and/or 2. FIGS. 5 and 6 also show grip 4 with locking ring 8 as well as indicating body 9 mounted on grip 4. Setting (and/or connecting grip 4 and indicating body 9) occurs via a locking ring 16.

[0075] Once again, grip 4 is presented individually in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0076] FIGS. 9 to 19 show an indicating body 9 in the form of a scale house 10 and an indicating body 9 in the form of scale sleeve 13 as well as locking ring 16 in distinct partial presentations and/or mounting positions.

[0077] FIG. 20 shows a locking ring 16 positioned on a grip 4 whereas FIG. 21 shows an indicating body 9 in the form of scale sleeve 13 in its position relative to grip 4 prior to mounting. Locking ring 16 is not presented here.

[0078] Grip 4 has a handle piece 17 as well as a connection piece 18 directed toward indicating body 9. The inner diameter of connection piece 18 is adjusted on the outer diameter of lever tube 3. A locking ring 8 is also positioned on connection piece 18. A radially circulating groove 19 is envisaged in the outer circumference of connection piece 18.

[0079] Indicating body 9 has coupling segments 21 protruding from two of its internal frontal sides 20 respectively toward connection pieces 18. The coupling segments 21 are configured in a cross section shape and are staggered to one another within a scope of 180 degrees. An open free space 22 is located between coupling segments 21. Inner diameter d1 between coupling segments 21 is adjusted on outer diameter d2 and/or on the outer circumference of connection piece 18. Coupling segments 21 comprise a locking groove 23 directed respectively in the peripheral direction of coupling segments 21. Locking groove 23 extends approximately by over a third of the peripheral length of coupling segment 21 during the transition of indicating body 9 to frontal side 20. The locking grooves 23 form an undercut with abutment edge 24.

[0080] Furthermore, two arched (curvy extending) control grooves 25 are envisaged in frontal side 20 of indicating body 9. Each control groove 25 forms a control curve 26 on indicating body 9. Both control grooves 25 are envisaged on indicating body 9 in free space area 22 between coupling segments 21 and are also staggered to one another by 180 degrees.

[0081] Furthermore, latching lug 27 axially protruding toward locking ring 16 and connection piece 18 is envisaged in indicating body 9.

[0082] Locking ring 16 is used as a link between grip 4 and indicating body 9. Locking ring 16 comprises locking bodies 28 which interacts in a locking position with connection piece 18 as well as abutment edges 24 of coupling segments 21.

[0083] Locking ring 16 has two spring limbs 29. Spring limbs 29 are circular-arc-shaped and are pointed toward the peripheral direction of locking ring 16. Locking bodies 28 have pawl 30 with a spring limb 29 arranged on the free-end area 31. Concentrically located at the back side of spring limb 29, cut-outs 32 (moving radially) enable a radially elastic flexibility of spring limb 29.

[0084] On side 33 of locking ring 16 facing indicating body 9, guiding elements 34 in the form of a cone are envisaged in free end 31 of spring limb 29. This is intended for engagement and interaction with control groove 25 and control curve 26.

[0085] Furthermore, a guiding groove 35 is envisaged in locking ring 16. Guiding groove 35 extends circumferentially toward locking ring 16 between outer wall 36 and locking ring 16 and an internally arcuate extending supporting wall 37. In the locking process guiding groove 35 interacts with latching lug 27 of indicating body 9. A latching lug 38 is built with a detent edge 39 in guiding groove 35. Locking pocket 38 is designated to receive latching lug 27 in the AP locking position of locking ring 16. Latching lug 27 comes to bear via its abutments in an AP locking position of detent edge 39 of locking pocket 38.

[0086] In the process of mounting to connect grip 4 and indicating body 9, lock ring 16 will be inserted into coupling segment 21 of indicating body 9. This fact is clarified by the presentation of FIGS. 15 to 17. Spring limb 29 protrudes in free space area 22 between coupling segments 21. Coupling segments 21 (with its outer periphery) lay within the inner peripheral wall of locking ring 16. Spring limbs 29 are unloaded. Guiding element 34 are engaged in control groove 25.

[0087] By means of a rotation movement in the image plane according to Arrow P, guiding elements 34 slide along control curve 25 built in control groove 26. Control curve 26 rises outwards towards center 41 from internally located end 40. By virtue of this particular movement spring limb 29 and the locking bodies 28 of spring limb 29 will be moved radially outwards. In this regard, the inner space between the coupling segments 21 will be released. Locking body 28 will no longer protrude inwards toward the inner diameter of coupling segments 21. In this position connection pieces 18 can be shifted axially to coupling segments 21 and indicating body 9 until locking ring 8 come to bear with its circumferential annular shoulder 42 on locking ring 16. The length of connection pieces 18 and the position of groove 19 on the outer periphery of connection pieces 18 is adjusted in a way that groove 19 is congruently positioned with locking body 28 of locking ring 16.

[0088] Latching lug 27 lays in this position in front of locking pocket 38.

[0089] Locking ring 16 is further rotated in a circumferential manner. Guiding elements 34 move downwards each time in control groove 25 internally until the other end 40 of control curve 26. Thus, spring limbs 29 are loosened and move radially inwards. As a result pawls 30 are engaged in groove 19. Spring limbs 29 lay loosened in the outer periphery of coupling segment 21. Pawl 30 are introduced to the locking groove 23 and lay on the abutment edge 24.

[0090] Locking ring 16 is also further rotated relative to latching lug 27 during the rotational movement. As a result, latching lug 27 moves to locking pocket 38. Latching lug 27 comes to bear in the detent edge 39 of locking pocket 38 via its abutments. Thus, an automatic and/or unintended reversal of the locking ring 16 in an open position is not possible.

[0091] Grip 4 and indicating body 9 are firmly connected through locking ring 16. In the AP locking position, locking bodies 28 interact in a locking manner with groove 19 on connection piece 18 as well as on abutment edge 24 of coupling segment 21. Pawl 30 are engaged in groove 19. Latching lug 27 comes to bear at detent edge 39 of locking pocket 38 via its abutments.

[0092] In order to enable an opening in locking ring 16, an opening 43 is envisaged in the outer wall 36 of locking ring 16 at the area of locking pocket 38. A tool can be inserted in this opening 43 and latching lug 27 can be pressed radially inwards in order to release the abutment position of locking pocket 38. Locking ring 16 can therefore be rotated in the opposite direction to enable dismantling.

[0093] With regard to indicating body 9 in the form of scale sleeve 13, grip 4 and scale sleeve 13 are coupled in an axial and radial direction by spur tooth 44. Thus, tooth elements 46 are envisaged in free end 45 of connection piece 18. Tooth elements 46 are envisaged in mounting position with driver elements 47 of scale sleeve 13. As a result, scale sleeve 13 will be rotated during the rotation of grip 4 to adjust a torque toward lever tube 3.

[0094] Tooth elements 46 have no role in free end 45 regarding the embodiment of indicating body 9 as a scale house 10 of connection piece 18.

[0095] Spring limbs 29 are unloaded in the AP locking position. Pawls 30 of locking body 28 are engaged in groove 19 at the outer periphery of connection piece 18. Simultaneously, pawls 30 are engaged in locking groove 23 behind abutment edge 24. Grip 4 and indicating body 9 as well as locking ring 16 are coupled and secured axially and radially in a locking position.

[0096] Once again FIGS. 22a and b (as well as FIGS. 23a and b) reveal the components essential to the invention of torque wrench 1 and/or 2 in an explosively perspective presentation of Grip 4 (separately concluded from one another) along with connection piece 18 and groove 19, including locking ring 16 and indicating body 9 in the form of a scale house 10 and/or a scale sleeve 13.

[0097] Based on FIG. 24a to h (as well as FIGS. 26a and b), an alternative embodiment of locking ring 49 and indicating body 50 in the form of a scale sleeve 51 is presented and explained. FIG. 24c reveals indicating body 50 in a partially cut presentation.

[0098] Coupling between grip 4 (via connection piece 18 and groove 19) occurs as described previously in order to be dispensed in a detailed reproduced explanation. Indicating body 50 comprises coupling segment 21 with abutment edges 24. Locking ring 49 comprises locking body 28 which interacts with groove 19 on connection piece 18 as well as abutment edge 24 of coupling segment 21 in a locking manner. Locking ring 49, as explained before, is transportable through a rotational movement in the AP locking position. Locking bodies 28 have pawls 30 built on spring limb 29 of locking ring 49.

[0099] Contrary to the version described before, locking ring 49 has a spring tab 52 with a locking cam 53 protruding toward indicating body 50. Locking cam 53 is arranged on free end 54 of spring tab 52. A cut-out 56 is envisaged on locking cam 53 opposite side 55 of spring tab 52. Indicating body 50 has a guiding groove 57 with an inclined extending guideway 58. A latching recess 60 is envisaged at the end 59 of guideway 58. Locking cam 53 comes to bear in the AP locking position of locking ring 49 via its abutment in latching recess 60 and/or is engaged in the said latching recess.

[0100] Mounting occurs in the manner described before. Locking ring 49 will be placed on coupling segments 21 of indicating body 50 and subsequently rotated, wherein spring limbs 29 and locking body 28 are first moved radially outwards. Grip 4 and connection piece 18 can be shifted through locking ring 49 within indicating body 50. Simultaneously, locking cam 53 will also be introduced to guiding groove 57 on front side 61 of locking ring 49. Once again, locking ring 49 will then be located in a circumferential manner. Spring limb 29 will be loosened and locking body 28 will be engaged in groove 19 on connection piece 18. Furthermore, locking body 28 is located in a locking position behind abutment edges 24 of coupling segment 21.

[0101] During rotational movements, locking cam 53 will be moved along guideway 58. This is from right to left in the image plane of FIG. 24c. Loading cam 53 is raised above the inclined plane of inclined extending guideway 58 during a rotational movement. Spring tab 52 will be deflected upwards in the image plane. Latching recess 60 is arranged at end 59 of guide way 58. Once locking cam 53 passes by detent edge 62 on the passage of guideway 58 toward latching recess 60, spring tab 52 bounces toward indicating body 50 and locking cam 53 is engaged in latching recess 60 via its abutment edges. An automatic or unintended turning back of locking ring 49 will be prevented through the locked locking cam 53. In order to make an opening in locking ring 49, an opening 64 is envisaged in the outer wall 63 of indicating body 50 within the area of latching recess 60. By means of a tool driven through opening 64, locking cam 53 can be released from its locking position in latching recess 60. Subsequently, locking ring 49 can then be rotated in the opposite direction in order to enable dismantling of the components.

[0102] Even when the version is described in accordance with FIG. 24 on the sample of indicating body 50 in the form of a scale house 51, indicating body 50 can also be designed as scale house 65. The presentations of FIGS. 25a and b reveal this fact. Even in this regard, indicating body 50 and/or scale house 65 have a guiding groove 57 (in its frontal side 66) with an inclined extending guideway 58 on whose end 59 a latching recess 60 is envisaged. Locking ring 49 is presented as in FIG. 24. Details can also be seen in FIGS. 27a and b revealing perspective views of grip 4 with connection pieces 18, locking ring 49 as well as scale house 65.

REFERENCE SIGNS

[0103] 1.Torque wrench [0104] 2.Torque wrench [0105] 3.Lever tube [0106] 4.Handle [0107] 5.Rear end [0108] 6.Toolhead [0109] 7.Frontal end [0110] 8.Locking ring [0111] 9.Indicating body [0112] 10.Scale house [0113] 11.Scale window [0114] 12.Indicator [0115] 13.Scale sleeve [0116] 14.Vernier scale [0117] 15.Scale [0118] 16.Locking ring [0119] 17.Handle piece [0120] 18.Connection piece [0121] 19.Groove [0122] 20.Frontal side 9 [0123] 21.Coupling segment [0124] 22.Free space [0125] 23.Locking groove [0126] 24.Abutment edge [0127] 25.Control groove [0128] 26.Control curve [0129] 27.Latching lug [0130] 28.Locking bodies [0131] 29.Spring limbs [0132] 30.Pawls [0133] 31.Free-end 29 [0134] 32.Cut-out [0135] 33.Side 16 [0136] 34.Guiding element [0137] 35.Guiding groove [0138] 36.Outer wall 16 [0139] 37.Supporting wall [0140] 38.Locking pocket [0141] 39.Detent edge [0142] 40.End 26 [0143] 40.Another end 26 [0144] 41.Center 26 [0145] 42.Annular shoulder [0146] 43.Opening [0147] 44.Spur tooth [0148] 45.Free-end 18 [0149] 46.Tooth elements [0150] 47.Driver element [0151] 48.Vernier [0152] 49.Locking ring [0153] 50.Indicating body [0154] 51.Scale sleeve [0155] 52.Spring tab [0156] 53.Locking cam [0157] 54.Free end 52 [0158] 55.Side [0159] 56.Cut-out [0160] 57.Guiding groove [0161] 58.Guideway [0162] 59.End 58 [0163] 60.Latching recess [0164] 61.Frontal side 49 [0165] 62.Detent edge [0166] 63.Outer wall 50 [0167] 64.Opening [0168] 65.Scale house [0169] 66.Frontal side 50 [0170] d1Inner diameter between 21 [0171] d2outer diameter of 18 [0172] pArrow [0173] APLocking Position