Electronic Torque Wrench

• US 20140165796A1
• Filed: 11/26/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gauthier Biomedical, Inc.
• Inventors: Gauthier, Michael T., Braganza, Austin R.S., Jeutter, Dean, Gauthier, Stacy Ann
• Granted Patent: US 9,358,672 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 81/479
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/8875 Screwdrivers, spanners or wrenches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/066 for measuring torque
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 15/04 with ratchet action
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/004 of the ratchet type
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 23/1425 by electrical means
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/005 for screwdrivers, wrenches or spanners with additional levers, e.g. for increasing torque
• CPC Class Codes: B25H 3/006 Storage means specially adapted for one specific hand apparatus, e.g. an electric drill

Abstract

A torque wrench for use in driving fasteners is provided. The wrench includes an electronics unit disposed within a housing engaged with the body of the wrench that is capable of sensing and measuring the torque applied to a fastener by the wrench and providing an output of the level of torque to the user. The data sensed by the electronics unit can be utilized to provide feedback to the user regarding the operation of the wrench, and to monitor the overall operation of the wrench for calibration purposes, among other functions. During use, the wrench can provide the user with visual, audible and tactile feedback regarding the operation of the device relative to stored maximum torque values stored in the electronics unit. The housing for the electronics unit can be formed to be a single use component of the tool or can be designed for multiple uses with a configuration that can be engaged with cradles forming the body of the wrench having various different configurations.

Claims

1. A driving tool comprising:

a) a body capable of being subjected to temperatures and pressures associated with medical sterilization procedures;

b) a shaft operably connected to the body and engageable with a fastener; and

c) a housing including an electronics unit including a torque measurement system operably connected to the shaft and operable to measure the torque exerted though the shaft on a fastener.

2. The tool of claim 1 wherein the housing is disposed within the body.

3. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a power source operably connected to the electronics unit.

4. The tool of claim 3 wherein the power source is positioned within the housing.

5. The tool of claim 4 wherein the power source is wirelessly chargeable.

6. The tool of claim 4 wherein the power source is separable from the housing.

7. The tool of claim 6 wherein the body and the housing are capable of being subjected to temperatures and pressures associated with medical sterilization procedures without damage to the electronics unit.

8. The tool of claim 1 wherein the housing is separable from the body.

9. The tool of claim 8 wherein the housing is connected to the body by a locking mechanism.

10. The tool of claim 8 further comprising a lock-out switch disposed on the body and able to be deactivated by a complementary structure on the housing.

11. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a control unit operably connected to the electronics unit.

12. The tool of claim 11 wherein the control unit is wirelessly connected to the electronics unit.

13. The tool of claim 1 further comprising an electronic memory component operably connected to the electronics unit.

14. The tool of claim 13 wherein the electronic memory unit is disposed within the housing.

15. The tool of claim 1 further comprising a display operably connected to the electronics unit for displaying the torque measurement values determined by the torque measurement system.

16. The tool of claim 15 wherein the display is located on the body.

17. The tool of claim 15 wherein the display is located on the housing.

18. The tool of claim 15 wherein the display is spaced from the body and the housing.

19. A method of driving a fastener into a substrate comprising the steps of:

a) providing the tool of claim 1; and

b) engaging a fastener with the tool.