Patent Application
20220097217
The present invention relates to an extensive shaft for a torque tool and, more particularly, to a warning apparatus of an extensive shaft for a torque tool.
A conventional torque tool includes a socket for receiving a nut or a portion of a threaded bolt for example so that the torque tool is operable to tighten or loosen the nut or threaded bolt. However, an extensive shaft might be used between the socket and the nut or threaded bolt if the nut or threaded bolt is in a deep place. A torque indicator can be connected to the extensive shaft to show a value of torque exerted on the extensive shaft to protect the nut or threaded bolt or an object for which the nut or threaded bolt is used. However, the torque indicator could be blocked from a user so that the user is not able to know the torque exerted on the extensive shaft reaches a limit.
The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.
It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a tool with an extensive shaft assembly.
To achieve the foregoing objective, the extensive shaft assembly includes a casing, an extensive shaft, a sensor, a warning apparatus, and a connecting apparatus. The extensive shaft extends throughout the casing. The sensor is connected to the extensive shaft. The warning apparatus includes an LED module and a light-guiding ring. The light-guiding ring includes a slit. The LED module is electrically connected to the sensor and located in the slit of the LED module. The connecting apparatus connects the light-guiding ring to the casing so that an external annular portion of the light-guiding ring is visible through a gap between the casing and the connecting apparatus.
Other objectives, advantages and features of the present invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the attached drawings.
The present invention will be described via detailed illustration of the preferred embodiment referring to the drawings wherein:
Referring to
The casing 10 includes two shells 12 and 13 connected to each other by several screws 11. The shells 12 and 13 together provide a space 14 (
The extensive shaft 20 includes a middle section inserted in the space 14. The extensive shaft 20 includes an input portion 21 and an output portion 22. The input portion 21 includes a polygonal cavity such as a square cavity. The input portion 21 is located out of the space 14, behind the casing 10. In use, the polygonal cavity of the input portion 21 receives a corresponding portion of a manual, electric or pneumatic tool (not shown). The output portion 22 is a polygonal portion such as a square portion. The output portion 22 is located out of the space 14, in front of the casing 10. In use, the output portion 22 is inserted in a corresponding cavity of a socket (not shown) and the socket includes another cavity for receiving a nut or a head of a threaded bolt.
The sensor 30 is located in the casing 10. In operation, the sensor 30 detects a value of torque exerted on the extensive shaft 20 and converts the value of torque into a digital signal before sending the digital signal to the display 36 and the warning apparatus 40.
The power supply 32 is preferably a battery, rechargeable or not. The power supply 32 is located in the casing 10. In use, the power supply 32 provides electricity to the sensor 30, the display 36 and the warning apparatus 40.
The display 36 is connected to the first shell 12. In use, the display 36 receives the digital signal from the sensor 30 before showing the value of torque to a user. The electric connection of the sensor 30, the extensive shaft 20, the power supply 32 and the display 36 to one another will not be described in detail as not being the spirit of the present invention.
Referring to
The LED module 41 includes several LED chips (not show) for emitting light of different colors. The LED module 41 is electrically connected to the sensor 30. The sensor 30 instructs the LED module 41 to emit light of one of the colors according to the value of torque. The casing 10 includes a window 15 at a front end. The LED module 41 extends from the casing 10 through the window 15.
The light-guiding ring 42 is a C-shaped element formed with a slit 43. The light-guiding ring 42 is kept at the front end of the casing 10 by the connecting apparatus 50. That is, the light-guiding ring 42 is located between the casing 10 and the connecting apparatus 50. The LED module 41 is located in the slit 43 of the light-guiding ring 42 so that the light emitted from the LED module 41 travels in and along the light-guiding ring 42 before the light-guiding ring 42 radiates the light.
The connecting apparatus 50 includes a cover 52 connected to the front end of the casing 10 by several screws 51. The cover 52 includes an aperture 53 in a center. The output portion 22 of the extensive shaft 20 extends from the casing 10 through the aperture 53 of the cover 52. The cover 52 includes a recess 54 in a rear face, near the periphery. The recess 54 receives the LED module 41.
Referring to
The casing 10 includes a protrusive portion 17 and a recessed portion 18, located along the annular groove 16. The cover 52 includes a cutout 56, two protrusive portions 58 and a recessed portion 57 between the protrusive portions 58, located along the annular groove 55. The cutout 56 is located between the protrusive portions 58. The recessed portion 57 is located between the protrusive portions 58.
As the cover 52 is connected to the casing 10, the cutout 56 receives the protrusive portion 17, and the protrusive portion 17 is located between the protrusive portions 58. The protrusive portions 17 and 58 cover the LED module 41 and a small portion of the light-guiding ring 42. The recessed portions 18 and 57 together become a gap 60 (
Referring to
In use, the sensor 30 detects the value of torque exerted on the extensive shaft 20 and converts the value of torque into the digital signal. The display 36 receives the digital signal from the sensor 30 and accordingly shows the value of torque. The sensor 30 instructs the LED module 41 to emit light of one of the colors according to the value of torque. For example, the sensor 30 instructs the LED module 41 to emit green light if the value of torque is smaller than the limit in a case where the nut or threaded bolt is loosened. The sensor 30 instructs the LED module 41 to emit yellow light if the value of torque approaches the limit in a case where the nut or threaded bolt is tightened. The sensor 30 instructs the LED module 41 to emit red light if the value of torque is equal to or larger than the limit in a case where the nut or threaded bolt is properly or excessively tightened. If possible, the user can turn the display 36 to an angle where the display 36 is visible to the user. Alternatively, the user can observe the color of the light emitted from the light-guiding ring 42 to know whether the value of torque exerted on the extensive shaft 20 reaches the limit if it is not possible to turn the display 36 to an angle where the display 36 is visible to the user
The present invention has been described via the illustration of the preferred embodiment. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the preferred embodiment shall not limit the scope of the present invention defined in the claims.
