Torque wrench with torque range indicator and system and method employing the same

• US 20050223857A1
• Filed: 04/07/2004
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ryeson Corporation (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Ryeson Corporation (Snap-On Incorporated)
• Inventors: Gauthier, Jerome M., Reynertson, John
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,834 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/479
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/14 Arrangement of torque limiters or torque indicators in wrenches or screwdrivers couplings for transmitting rotation or clutches F16D; devices for measuring torque per se G01L
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1425 by electrical means

Abstract

A torque wrench is disclosed having torque range indicators. The torque wrench includes a handle, a torquing tool, a mounting bar and a programmable interface module. At least one torque sensor is communicatively coupled to the interface module. The interface module includes an input device able to receive at least one predetermined torque value, a torque value indicator, a torque range indicator, and a controller. The torque value indicator, the torque sensor, and the torque range indicator are communicatively coupled to the controller, and the controller is programmed to activate the torque range indicator based on a torque range calculated by comparing a torque value received from the torque sensor to the at least one predetermined torque value.

Claims

1. A torque wrench, comprising:

a handle;

a torquing tool operatively associated with the handle;

a torque sensor operatively associated with the torquing tool; and

a programmable interface module having a torque range indicator and a controller, wherein the torque sensor and the torque range indicator are communicably coupled to the controller, the controller being programmed to activate the torque range indicator based on a torque range obtained from a torque value received from the torque sensor and a predetermined torque value.

2. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is a display screen.

3. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is an audio output.

4. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is a light bulb.

5. The torque wrench of claim 2, wherein the display screen is adapted to be at least one of a yellow, green, and red color.

6. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the controller is communicably coupled to a second controller.

7. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is activated by a torque value that is too low based on the predetermined torque value.

8. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is activated by a torque value that is acceptable based on the predetermined torque value.

9. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is activated by a torque value that is too high based on the predetermined torque value.

10. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is an audio type indicator.

11. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is a visual type indicator.

12. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator is a tactile type indicator.

13. The torque wrench of claim 2, wherein the display screen is a liquid crystal display screen.

14. The torque wrench of claim 1, wherein the torque range indicator includes a plurality of light bulbs.

15. The torque wrench of claim 1, further including an input device communicably coupled to the controller for entering the predetermined torque value.

16. The torque wrench of claim 1, further including a torque value indicator communicably coupled to the controller for indicating the torque value.

17. A torque wrench system, comprising:

a handle;

a torquing tool operatively associated with the handle;

a torque sensor operatively associated with the torquing tool;

a programmable interface module having a torque value indicator and a first controller, the torque sensor and the torque value indicator being communicably coupled to the first controller; and

a second controller communicably coupled to the first controller.

18. The torque wrench system of claim 17, wherein the first controller is communicably coupled to the second controller via a network.

19. The torque wrench system of claim 17, wherein the first controller is communicably coupled to the second controller via a wireless connection.

20. The torque wrench system of claim 17, further including a torque range indicator communicably coupled to the first controller.

21. The torque wrench system of claim 20, wherein the torque range indicator includes a display screen.

22. The torque wrench system of claim 20, wherein the torque range indicator includes an audio output.

23. The torque wrench system of claim 20, wherein the torque range indicator includes at least one light bulb.

24. The torque wrench system of claim 20, wherein the display screen is adapted to change color.

25. The torque wrench-system of claim 20, wherein the display is a liquid crystal display.

26. A torque wrench system, comprising:

a handle;

a torquing tool operatively associated with the handle;

a torque sensor operatively associated with the torquing tool;

a programmable interface module having a torque range indicator and a first controller, the torque sensor and the torque range indicator being communicably coupled to the first controller; and

a second controller communicably coupled to the first controller.

27. The torque wrench system of claim 26, further including a torque value indicator communicably coupled to the first controller.

28. The torque wrench system of claim 26, wherein the torque range indicator includes a display screen.

29. The torque wrench system of claim 26, wherein the torque range indicator includes an audio output.

30. The torque wrench system of claim 26, wherein the torque range indicator includes at least one light bulb.

31. A method of indicating torque value ranges, comprising:

entering a predetermined torque value into a controller of a torque wrench;

torquing a fastener with the torque wrench;

measuring a torque value of the fastener with a torque sensor located on the torque wrench;

obtaining a torque range based on the measured torque value and the predetermined torque value; and

indicating the torque range on a torque range indicator disposed on the torque wrench.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the predetermined value is entered into the controller via an input device disposed on an interface module of the torque wrench.

33. The method of claim 31, further including communicably coupling the controller to a second controller.