SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INDICATING TORQUE
First Claim
1. A tool adapted to apply torque to a work piece that has a target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece, comprising:
- a sensor adapted to measure an amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece,a first indicator adapted to;
illuminate at a first flashing rate when a first measured amount of torque or angle is applied to the work piece;
illuminate at a second flashing rate, greater than the first flashing rate, when a second measured amount of torque or angle is applied to the work piece; and
illuminate at a solid state when a third measured amount of torque or angle is applied to the work piece.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to torque application tools, such as a torque screwdriver and ratchet tools, with one or more light indicators disposed in a ring shape around the tool. The light indicators are adapted to indicate amounts of torque values and/or angle values as the tool is used to tighten or install a work piece. For example, the light indicators may flash at a first flashing rate, when about 40% of a target torque or angle value is applied; flash at a second flashing rate (greater or faster than the first flashing rate) when about 60% of the target torque or angle value is applied; and illuminate at a solid state when about 80% of the target torque or angle value is applied.
2 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A tool adapted to apply torque to a work piece that has a target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece, comprising:
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a sensor adapted to measure an amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece, a first indicator adapted to; illuminate at a first flashing rate when a first measured amount of torque or angle is applied to the work piece; illuminate at a second flashing rate, greater than the first flashing rate, when a second measured amount of torque or angle is applied to the work piece; and illuminate at a solid state when a third measured amount of torque or angle is applied to the work piece. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for indicating an amount of torque applied to a work piece that has a target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece, comprising:
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measuring the amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece; illuminating a first indicator at a first flashing rate when the measured amount of torque or angle is about 40% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece; illuminating the first indicator at a second flashing rate, greater than the first flashing rate, when the measured amount of torque or angle is about 60% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece; and illuminating the first indicator at a solid state when the measured amount of torque or angle is about 80% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A tool adapted to apply torque to a work piece that has a target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece, comprising:
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a sensor adapted to measure an amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece a first indicator adapted to; illuminate at a first flashing rate when the measured amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece is about 40% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece; illuminate at a second flashing rate, greater than the first flashing rate, when the measured amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece is about 60% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece; and illuminate with a solid state when the measured amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece is about 80% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece; a second indicator adapted to illuminate with a solid state when the measured amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece is about 100% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece; and a third indicator adapted to illuminate with a solid state when the measured amount of torque or angle applied to the work piece is more than 100% of the target amount of torque or angle that is to be applied to the work piece. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification