Hand wrench with torque augmenting means

A method of applying torque to a fastener, the method comprising the steps of:

• engaging a drive socket within a wrench housing with a fastener to which torque is to be applied;
• engaging a cycling torque applicating apparatus providing intermittent rotations with a driven aperture in the wrench;
• cycling the torque applicating apparatus to rotate the driven aperture in the wrench;
• and
• rotating a linkage means in the wrench responsive to the cycling at the driven aperture to slidably coact with the drive socket apply torque to the fastener.

A wrench with torque augmenting means, comprising:

• a housing having:
• a first half with a first interior bottom surface extending to a first continuous side wall along the first half,
• a first drive input aperture extending through the first half,
• a first drive output aperture extending through the first half and separate from the first drive input aperture,
• a first pair of cutouts formed at opposed sides of the first continuous side wall of the first half,
• a second half with a second interior bottom surface extending to a second continuous side wall along the second half,
• a second drive input aperture extending through the second half,
• a second drive output aperture extending through the second half and separate from the second drive input aperture,
• a second pair of cutouts formed at opposed sides of the second continuous side wall of the second half,
• means to releasably engage the first half and second half with each other for the first pair of cutouts to be in registration with the second pair of cutouts to provide a pair of opposed spaces at opposite sides of the housing to part the housing, the first and second drive input apertures to be in registration with each other, and the first and second drive output apertures to be in registration with each other.
• a first drive member having:
• an oblong-shaped aperture extending through the first drive member,
• a first socket extending from the first drive member, separate and discrete from the oblong-shaped aperture,
• an exterior side wall conforming substantially to a portion of an interior surface of the first continuous side wall,
• the first socket constructed and arranged on the first member for registration with the first and second drive input apertures when the first and second halves are engaged;
• a second driven member having:
• a pin extending from the second driven member for coaction with the oblong-shaped aperture of the first drive member, the pin having a height at least equal to the depth of the oblong-shaped aperture,
• a second aperture extending through the second driven member separate and discrete from the pin,
• a second socket disposed in the second aperture, the second socket having:
• a plurality of inclined teeth circumscribing the second socket forming a ratchet,
• a wear ring circumscribing the second socket and resting upon the plurality of inclined teeth of the second socket;
• a recess formed in the second driven member;
• a pawl disposed in the recess for movement therein, the pawl adapted to coact with the rachet;
• a first pair of bores formed in the second member, each of the first pair of bores opening into the recess;
• a second pair of bores formed in the pawl, each of the second pair of bores opening to face the recess for registration with the first pair of bores;
• spring means disposed in said first and second pairs of bores to resiliently urge the pawl into coaction with the ratchet;
• resilient means mounted in the housing for coaction with at least one of the first drive member and the second drive member to return said members to an initial position after the second driven member has pivoted to abut an interior wall of the housing;
• and
• rotation of the first socket coacting with the first drive member to impart motion to the second driven member to pivot for the pawl to engage the teeth of the ratchet at the second socket and rotate the second socket at the first and second drive outputs.

A wrench with torque augmenting means, comprising:

• a housing;
• torque input means accessible in the housing;
• torque output means accessible in the housing and separate from the torque input means, the torque output means adapted to engage an object to be tightened;
• and
• means for coupling the torque input means with the torque output means for coaction therebetween, the coupling means disposed in the housing for coaction with the torque input means to transmit a first amount of torque introduced at the torque input means to a second amount of torque available at the torque output means;
• and
• resilient means adapted to coact with the coupling means to reset the coupling means to an initial position after a second amount of torque has been reached.

A wrench with torque augmenting means, comprising:

• a housing having opposed sidewalls therein;
• torque input means accessible in the housing;
• torque output means accessible in the housing, the torque output means adapted to engage an object to which torque is to be applied;
• means for connecting the torque input means with the torque output means for coaction therebetween, the connecting means disposed in the housing and adapted for movement toward the spaced sidewalls of the housing simultaneously to cause torque at the torque input means to be transferred to the torque output means;
• and
• resilient means adapted to coact with the connecting means to reset the connecting means to an initial position after reduction of torque at the torque input means.

An augmenting wrench, comprising:

• a housing;
• a driving socket in the housing;
• a ratchet in the housing coacting with the driving socket;
• a driven socket in the housing;
• linkage means within the housing connecting the driving socket with the driven socket, the linkage means coacting with the ratchet and the driven socket to enable rotation of the driven socket to transfer torque to the driving socket while the housing is stationary;
• and
• resilient means disposed in the housing for coaction with the linkage means to resiliently urge the linkage means to an initial position after the linkage means has transferred an amount of torque,
• the resilient means including a spring, the spring connected to the housing and the linkage means.

An augmenting wrench, comprising:

• a housing;
• a driving socket in the housing;
• a ratchet in the housing coacting with the driving socket;
• a driven socket in the housing;
• and
• linkage means within the housing, the linkage means including:
• a driving arm operatively associated with the driving socket,
• a driven arm operatively associated with the driven socket,
• a link having a first end coating with the driving arm, and a second end coacting with the driven arm;
• means connecting the link with the driving arm and with the driven arm, the connecting means comprising:
• pin means and slot means disposed on adjacent surfaces of said link connecting the driving and driven arms to effect sliding coaction between the link and the driving and driven arms;
• a pawl disposed in the housing for coaction with the ratchet of the driving socket;
• wherein the ratio of the relative lengths of the driving linkage to the driven linkage determines the torque applied between the driving socket and the driven socket.

A method of applying torque to a fastener, the method comprising the steps of:

• engaging a drive socket of a wrench with a fastener to which torque is to be applied;
• engaging a cycling torque applicating apparatus with a driven aperture in the wrench;
• cycling the torque applicating apparatus to rotate the driven aperture in the wrench;
• rotating a linkage means in the wrench responsive to the cycling at the driven aperture to coact with the drive socket to apply torque to the fastener;
• and
• recycling the torque applicating apparatus to cause the linkage means to return to an initial position for further cycling the torque applicating apparatus.