Compact power wrenching machine

• US 4,372,181 A
• Filed: 11/10/1980
• Issued: 02/08/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1980
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NSW Corporation
• Original Assignee: NSW Corporation
• Inventors: Tinsley, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jones, Jr., James L.
• Application Number:
  US06/205,386
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 81/57.39, 74/128, 74/142, 74/141.5
• US Class Current: 81/57.39
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/005 driven by a radially acting hydraulic or pneumatic piston
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1529 Slide actuator

Abstract

The compact power wrenching machine (10) has an elongated, rigid frame (11). A fluid-operated cylinder (20'"'"') having a reciprocating ram (20) is mounted at one end of the frame. A wrench (22), preferably a ratcheting-type, is rotatably mounted at the opposite end of the frame. A force-transferring mechanism (21) has a body which is movably mounted on the frame between the wrench and the ram. The ram is securely connected to the mechanism'"'"'s body which supports the ratchet wrench for relative motion therebetween. In use, the body of the mechanism is moved by the ram, the ratchet wrench is rotated by the body of the mechanism, and the rotating wrench can also rotate a threaded fastener.

Claims

1. In a torque wrench including an elongated rigid frame;

a force-producing actuator coupled to one portion of said frame;

a wrench rotatably mounted on another portion of said frame and being longitudinally spaced from said actuator;

a torque applicator having a roller at one end thereof and extending longitudinally from said wrench toward said actuator;

a thrust block movably mounted on said frame between said actuator and said applicator, said block having a cam surface which slopes in one direction relative to the longitudinal axis of said frame; and

said roller riding on said cam surface;

the improvement, wherein;

said thrust block having two parallel shoulders on the opposite sides thereof, said shoulders sloping in a direction, relative to the longitudinal axis of said frame, which is opposite to the direction of said cam surface; and

bearing means mounted on said frame to captivate said shoulders therebetween and to cause said block to gradually and simultaneously move longitudinally and transversely, when said block is acted upon by said actuator, to thereby rotate said applicator and said wrench.

2. The wrench of claim 1 wherein said actuator is a double-acting cylinder having a ram pivotably coupled to one end of said block, and the cylinder being pivotably coupled to said frame, whereby the cylinder pivots about its pivot axis as the block moves along its trajectory, and the rotation of said wrench is determined by the angles of inclination of said shoulders and of said cam surface relative to said longitudinal axis.

3. The wrench of claim 2 wherein,

said cam surface is disposed centrally and internally on said block to impart transverse forces to said roller and to said torque applicator, thereby transforming the reciprocating linear movements of said ram into an intermittent reciprocating rotational movement by said wrench.

4. The wrench of claim 3 wherein said cam surface has an acute angle and said trajectory has an acute angle.

5. A power wrenching machine, comprising:

an elongated rigid frame;

a hydraulically-operated ram;

a wrench having a torque arm extending toward said ram;

a thrust block for applying a force to said arm thereby imparting a torque to said wrench;

guide members secured to the frame to form an inclined track therebetween, the guide members supporting and guiding said thrust block on the frame along said inclined track in a longitudinal and transverse direction; and

said ram being pivotably mounted near one end of said frame, said wrench being rotatably mounted near the opposite end of said frame, said block being movably mounted on said frame and being movably coupled to said ram, and said block transferring high forces from said ram to said torque arm, thereby rotating said wrench about an axis transversely to the longitudinal axis of said frame, whereby the reciprocating linear longitudinal movements of said ram become translated into intermittent reciprocating rotational movements by said wrench, as the thrust block moves on said frame relative to said wrench arm.