Tool apparatus system and method of use

• US 8,281,871 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2011
• Issued: 10/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Snap-On Incorporated
• Inventors: Cutler, Brian J., Duvan, David, Keefe, Gary, Atkinson, Denny, Costantino, David R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tawfik, Sameh H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUKWURAH, NATHANIEL C
• Application Number:
  US13/117,670
• Publication Number:
  US 20110278037A1
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 173/1, 173/2, 173/176, 173/178, 173/180, 738/622.1
• US Class Current: 173/2
• CPC Class Codes: B25B 21/00 Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; details or components, e.g. casings, bodies, of portable power-driven tools not particularly related to the operation performed B25F5/00; for mounting or dismounting wheels B60B29/006; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose machines B23P19/06
• 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 system, and a method of using a system, for controlled tool operation. The method includes providing a tool used in a force application such as a such torque application. The tool communicates with a controller which can communicate with the tool, and to a display in communication with the tool and the controller. The controller can be programmed with operational information about a tool operation. Information related to the operational information is displayed to a user during use. Service information including at least information about an amount of force applied during use is recorded and stored in the controller. Also disclosed is a computerized system for controlled tool operation which sends operational instructions to the tool before use and retrieves service information from the tool after use.

Claims

1. A combination comprising:

a hand-held tool including;

a driver adapted to engage a work piece and apply a torque to the work piece;

a tool controller adapted to sense an actual amount of torque applied to the work piece and to provide an indication relating to the actual amount of torque applied to the work piece; and

a shop management system including;

a system controller adapted to generate a work order relating to driving operations including a desired amount of torque to be applied to the work piece and to communicate the work order to the tool controller,

wherein the tool controller is further adapted to record service information including data corresponding to the actual amount of torque applied to the work piece, and transmit the service information to the shop management system.

2. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool controller and system controller each includes a transmitter and receiver, wherein the controller transmitter is adapted to communicate with the shop management system receiver, and the controller receiver is adapted to communicate with the shop management system transmitter.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller and shop management system transmitters and receivers respectively communicate via radio frequency (RF).

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2, wherein the controller and shop management system transmitters and receivers respectively communicate via infrared.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tool further includes a power source adapted to supply power to the tool controller.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5, wherein the power source is a battery.

7. A hand-held tool comprising:

a driver adapted to engage a work piece and apply a torque to the work piece;

a tool controller adapted to sense an actual amount of torque applied to the work piece, to provide an indication relating to the actual amount of torque applied to the work piece, and to record service information including data corresponding to the actual amount of torque applied to the work piece; and

a transceiver adapted to receive a work order relating to driving operations including a desired amount of torque to be applied to the work piece, and transmit the service information to a shop management system.

8. The hand-held tool of claim 7, wherein the shop management system includes a system controller adapted to generate the work order relating to the driving operations including the desired amount of torque to be applied to the work piece and to communicate the work order to the tool controller.

9. The hand-held tool of claim 7, wherein the transceiver is a wireless transceiver.

10. The hand-held tool of claim 7, wherein the tool further includes a power source adapted to supply power to the tool controller.