Ultra high torque device
AssigneeECA Medical Instruments
InventorsJohn Nino, David Ivinson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities.
Claims19
A torque-limiting driver comprising:
- a body having a handle;
- an upper cylindrical shank;
- a lower cylindrical shank having a drive socket;
- a nut;
- a spring between the upper cylindrical shank and the nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank;
- a shaft having a workpiece-engaging tip and a drive connection engaged within the drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank, the shaft extending axially through the lower cylindrical shank, the upper cylindrical shank, and the spring and connected to the nut;
- and,
- wherein the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank engage for relative rotation, and wherein the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded.
A method, comprising:
- providing to a workpiece a torque-limiting driver comprising:
- a body having a handle;
- an upper cylindrical shank;
- a lower cylindrical shank having a drive socket;
- a nut;
- a spring between the upper cylindrical shank and the nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank;
- a shaft having a workpiece-engaging tip and a drive connection engaged within the drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank, the shaft extending axially through the lower cylindrical shank, the upper cylindrical shank, and the spring and connected to the nut;
- applying an applied torque to the torque-limiting driver, whereby the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank engage for relative rotation if the applied torque does not exceed the predetermined torque limit, and whereby the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank disengage if the applied torque exceeds the predetermined torque limit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.