AU2021215114A1

AU2021215114A1 - Torque tool using colors for identification

Info

Publication number: AU2021215114A1
Application number: AU2021215114A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yi-Min Wu
Original assignee: Matatakitoyo Tool Co Ltd
Current assignee: Matatakitoyo Tool Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-09
Filing date: 2021-08-09
Publication date: 2023-02-23
Anticipated expiration: 2041-08-09
Also published as: AU2021215114B2

Abstract

A torque tool includes multiple bits, a handle, a pointer and a scale ring. Each of the bits includes a colored area. In use, the handle is connected to a selected one of the bits. The handle is operable to set multiple maximum 5 values of torque transferable to the bit from the handle corresponding to the colored areas of the bits. The pointer is formed on the handle. The scale ring includes multiple colored areas corresponding to the colored areas of the bits. The scale ring is rotated around the handle as the handle is operated to set the maximum values of torque, thereby aligning the pointer 10 with one of the colored areas of the scale ring corresponding to the colored area of a selected one of the bits. 23 4/17 51 60 61 51 60 61 6 1a --6 1a 40 50 40 84 63 6-l3a 63- - -63a Fi 4 52 6g52 64a-- I 64a- 53 N74 53 N74 86 55 85 55 80 80 40 85 54 4182 40 8254418 Fig.4 Fig.5 51 60 61 51 60 -61 -6 1a \I- 6 1 a 62o ,- 50 o 50 62~~ 62a 6 2 63 - 6,3a 63- - -- 63a 64 -- 52 64--52 64a-- 64a-- 84 55 83 55 80 0 0 70 840 83 54 41 82 0 8 448 Fig. 6 Fig. 7

Description

4/17

61 51 60 61 51 60 6 1a --6 1a

40 50 40 84 63 6-l3a 63- - -63a Fi 4 52 6g52 64a-- I 64a- 53 N74 53 N74 86 55 85 55 80 80 40 85 54 4182 40 8254418 Fig.4 Fig.5

60 61 51 60 -61 51 -6 1a \I- 61 a 62o ,- 50 o 50 62~~ 62a 6 2 63 - 6,3a 63- - -- 63a 64-- 52 64--52 64a-- 64a--

84 55 83 55 80 0 0 70 840 83 54 41 82 0 8 448

Fig. 6 Fig. 7

TORQUE TOOL USING COLORS FOR IDENTIFICATION BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to torque tools and, more

particularly, to a torque using colors for identification.

2. RELATED PRIOR ART

[0002] There are various tools such as box-ended wrenches,

open-ended wrenches, adjustable wrenches, Allen keys, socket wrenches

and related components. Pressing or printing is often used to provide a tool

with an inscription to show a trademark, an aesthetic pattern or the size of

the tool.

[0003] The use of the above-mentioned processes to make the

inscription is not without any problem particularly where the inscription is

used to show the size of the tool. For example, a user may have to wipe

grease from the tool to read the inscription to know the size of the tool for

the inscription is often covered entirely or partially by grease. Moreover, the user may have to flip the tool over to read the inscription since the

inscription is often supported on a lower face of the tool in an operative

position.

[0004] US Patent No. 4,982,627 discloses a tool-identifying system in

which a color chart shows a range of ten colors and each color indicates a

particular numeral. A sequence of indicated numerals represents the value

of the size of a tool, in fractional inch or metric size. However, a user has

to memorize the correspondence of the colors to the numerals. The user

will experience troubles in picking bits of the right sizes might if he or she

forgets the correspondence. Accordingly, the user may bring bits of wrong sizes to a working site and fail a task. Alternatively, the user may be forced to bring bits of all sizes to the working site, and this is quite a burden.

In operation, the user may pick bits of wrong sizes before getting the bit of

the right size, and this is a waste of time.

[0005] CN 2118617 discloses an adjustable wrench including a

handle, a jaw formed on the handle, another jaw movably connected to the

handle, a scale in fractional inch, and another scale in metric size. Each

scale provides the correspondence of the value of each size to an actual with

of a gap between the jaws. However, the scales could be covered with

grease or steins.

[0006] Moreover, no wrench has been provided with anything to let a

user know an adequate value of torque to be imposed on a workpiece such

as a nut and a threaded bolt without causing damages to the workpiece.

Hence, the user might not exert an inadequate value of torque to engage a

nut with a threaded bolt so that the nut could easily be disengaged from the

threaded bolt because of vibration.

[0007] The present invention is therefore intended to obviate or at

least alleviate the problems encountered in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0008] It is the primary objective of the present invention to provide a

torque tool using colors for identification.

[0009] To achieve the foregoing objective, the torque tool includes

multiple bits, a handle, a pointer and a scale ring. Each of the bits includes

a colored area. In use, the handle is connected to a selected one of the bits.

The handle is operable to set multiple maximum values of torque

transferable to the bit from the handle corresponding to the colored areas of the bits. The pointer is formed on the handle. The scale ring includes multiple colored areas corresponding to the colored areas of the bits. The scale ring is rotated around the handle as the handle is operated to set the maximum values of torque, thereby aligning the pointer with one of the colored areas of the scale ring corresponding to the colored area of a selected one of the bits.

[0010] Other objectives, advantages and features of the present

invention will be apparent from the following description referring to the

attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] The present invention will be described via detailed illustration

of ten embodiments referring to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a torque tool according to the first

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, partial and exploded view of the torque tool

shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial and cut-away view of the torque tool

shown in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 4 through 7 are enlarged top views of an indicating unit of the

torque tool shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of a bit of the torque tool shown

in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged, partial and cross-sectional view of the torque tool

shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged, partial and perspective view of a torque tool

according to the second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, partial and perspective view of a torque tool

according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged, partial and perspective view of a torque tool

according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged, partial and perspective view of a torque tool

according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, partial and exploded view of torque tools

according to the sixth and seventh embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a torque tool according to the eighth

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged top view of an indicating unit of the torque tool

shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a torque tool according to the ninth

embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is an enlarged, partial and top view of the torque tool shown in

FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is an exploded view of a torque tool according to the tenth

embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the torque tool shown in FIG. 19.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Referring to FIG. 1, a wrench 10 includes a bit 11 connected to

a handle 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The

handle 30 includes a rod 35 inserted in a pipe 38. The rod 35 is pivotally

connected to the pipe 38 by apivot 37. Awheel 36 is connected to a rear

end of the rod 35, which is inserted in the pipe 38. Ajoint 31 is formed in

one piece with a front end of the rod 35, which is located out of the pipe 38.

Thus, the joint 31 is located out of the pipe 38. The joint 31 includes a

bore 32 in a front end. Two apertures 33 are respectively made in two

opposite sides of the joint 31 so that the apertures 33 are in communication

withthebore32. A button 34 is inserted in each of the apertures 33. The

buttons 34 are kept on the joint 31 and away from the bore 32.

[0013] The handle 30 further includes a torque-adjusting mechanism

40 including a grip 41, a threaded rod 43, a threaded sleeve 44, a spring 45,

a wedge 46, a bearing 47, a connector 48 and a controller 49. The spring

45 is inserted in the pipe 38. The wedge 46 is connected to a front end of

the spring 45. Thus, the spring 45 abuts the wedge 46 against the wheel

36, which is connected to the rod 35.

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the grip 41 extends around a rear

section of the pipe 38 so that the former is allowed to rotate around the

latter. The rear section of the pipe 38 receives the threaded rod 43 and the

threaded sleeve 44. The threaded rod 43 includes a shank 431 supported

by the bearing 47, which is fitted in the rear section of the pipe 38. The

threaded sleeve 44 includes a thread 441 formed on an internal face and a

groove 442 longitudinally made in an external face. The thread 441 of the

threaded sleeve 44 is engaged with a thread (not numbered) of the threaded

rod 43. A front end of the threaded sleeve 44 is abutted against a spring 45

that is inserted in rear section of the pipe 38. Apin 39 is inserted in the

groove 442 via the pipe 38 to prevent the threaded sleeve 44 from rotation in

the pipe 38 but allow the threaded sleeve 44 to translate in the pipe 38.

The pin 39 is used to abut against a closed end of the groove 442 to set an

end for the translation of the threaded sleeve 44 in the pipe 38. A

positioning collar 443 is inserted in the grip 41. Moreover, the positioning collar 443 is fitted on the rear section of the pipe 38 so that they are not movable relative to each other. Furthermore, the positioning collar 443 keeps the pin 39 in the pipe 38.

[0015] The connector 48 is an annular element that is fitted between

the grip 41 and on the shank 431 so that the grip 41 is rotatable with the

threaded rod 43. The shank 431 is inserted in the controller 49, which is an

annular element. The controller 49 is allowed to translate in the grip 41 in

a longitudinal direction of the handle 30 between a locking position and an

unlocking position. In the locking position, the controller 49 prevents the

grip 41 from rotation around the pipe 38. In the unlocking position, the

controller 49 allows the grip 41 to rotate around the pipe 38. Details of the

structure of the controller 49 and its relation to the other elements are not the

spirit of the present invention and hence will not be given here. However, details of the structure of the controller 49 and its relation to the other

elements can be found in US Patent No. 7,836,781.

[0016] The handle 30 further includes an indicating unit 50 including

a ring 51, a transparent panel 59, a label 60, a lens 70 and a scale ring 80.

The ring 51 includes a frame 53 and a pointer 54 on an external face. The

pointer 54 is a pointed portion of the frame 53. In addition, the ring 51

further includes a cavity 56 in the frame 53 and two apertures 57 in

communication with the cavity 56. Amiddle section of the pipe 38 is

inserted in the ring 51. Two screws 58 are inserted in the pipe 38 via the

apertures 57 of the ring 51 so that the ring 51 is kept in position, next to the

positioning collar 443. A unit of torque 55 such as Nm is inscribed in or

printed on the frame 53, between the pointer 54 and the cavity 56.

[0017] Preferably, the label 60 is a sheet of a proper material inserted

in the cavity 56. A transparent panel 59 is fitted in the frame 53 so that the

transparent panel 59 keeps the label 60 in the cavity 56. The label 60 is

printed with four colored areas 61, 62, 63 and 64 for example. Preferably, the label 60 is further printed with four numbers 61a, 62a, 63a and 64a

respectively located in the colored areas 61, 62, 63 and 64 to represent four

valuesoftorque. The numbers 61a, 62a, 63a and 64a are respectively

"18", "42", "55" and "65" for example. The colored areas 61, 62, 63 and

64 and the numbers 61a, 62a, 63a and 64a are observable via the transparent

panel 59, but not the screws 58.

[00181 In another embodiment, the label 60 can be a layer of paint, ink

or the like coated on a lower face of the transparent panel 59. Thus, the

label 60 is observable via the transparent panel 59, too. Similarly, the

colored areas 61, 62, 63 and 64 and the numbers 61a, 62a, 63a and 64a are

observable via the transparent panel 59, but not the screws 58.

[0019] A section of the ring 51 is inserted in the scale ring 80 so that

the scale ring 80 is located between the pointer 54 and the positioning collar

443 in the longitudinal direction of the handle 30. The scale ring 80 is

allowed to rotate on the ring 51, but not translate on the ring 51. The scale

ring 80 is formed with teeth 81 on an external face. The teeth 81 are

engaged with teeth 42 formed on an internal face of the grip 41 so that the

scale 80 is rotatable with the grip 41.

[0020] Referring to FIGS. 4 through 7, four colored areas 82, 83, 84

and 85 are inserted in a recess 87 made in an external face of the scale ring

80,andsoisascale86. The scale 86 is located between the colored areas

82 and 85.

[0021] The lens 70 is an annular element formed with two open ends

71and72. The lens 70 extends around the ring 51. The lens 70 includes

an internal flange 74 inserted in a groove 52 made in the external face of the

ring 51, thereby keeping the lens 70 in position on the ring 51 in the

longitudinal direction of the handle 30. Atthe open end71, the lens 70 is

formed with a notch 73 to receive the pointer 54 to prevent the lens 70 from

rotation on the ring 51. The lens 70 extends around and hence protectively

covers the scale ring 80. The open end 72 of the lens 70 is pointed at the

grip 41.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the grip 41 is rotated relative to

the pipe 38 in a sense of direction so that the threaded rod 43 translates the

threaded sleeve 44 toward the bearing 47, thereby reducing the load in the

spring 45. For the engagement of the teeth 81 with the teeth 42, the scale

ring 80 is rotated around the ring 51 to show the maximum value of torque

that can be transferred by the handle 30.

[0023] The pointer 54 is pointed at the colored area 85 of the scale

ring 80 for example. The color of the colored area 85 is identical or similar

to the color of the colored area 64. Hence, the maximum value of torque

that can be transferred by the handle 30 is 65 Nm as shown by the number

64a, which is located in the colored area 64 of the label 60. In practice, there are inevitably errors in the making of the torque-adjusting mechanism

40 so that the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by the handle

30 is 65±5 Nm when 65 Nm is shown.

[0024] The maximum value of torque that can be transferred by the

handle 30 is determined by the load in the spring 45. The wheel 36 moves

beyond the wedge 46, which is connected to the spring 45 to provide a sound when the value of torque transferred by the handle 30 reaches the maximum, e.g., 65 Nm. Hence, a user knows that the value of torque transferred by the handle 30 reaches the maximum.

[0025] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the grip 41 rotates the threaded

rod 43 to translate the threaded sleeve 44 backward to reduce the load in the

spring 45. Due to the engagement of the teeth 81 with teeth 42, the scale

ring 80 is rotated with the ring 51 to immediately represent the maximum

value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30.

[0026] When the pointer 54 is pointed at the colored area 84, it is

easily observed that the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by

the handle 30 is 55±5 Nm as shown by the number 63a, which is located in

the colored area 63 since the color of the colored area 84 is identical or

similar to the color of the colored area 63. There is no need to memorizing

or calculation to know the relation of the colored area 84 to the colored area

63.

[0027] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, the above-described process is

repeated to change the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by

the handle 30. The pointer 54 is pointed at the colored area 83

corresponding to the number 62a located in the colored area 62. It is easily

observed that the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by the

handle 30 is 42±5 Nm as shown by the number 62a without any need for

memorizing or calculation.

[0028] Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, the above-described process is

repeated to change the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by

the handle 30. The pointer 54 is pointed at the colored area 82

corresponding to the number 61a located in the colored area 61. Itiseasily observed that the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30 is 18±5 Nm as shown by the number 61a without any need for memorizing or calculation.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 1 again, the bit 11 includes a head 12 formed

with two stationary jaws 13 separated from each other by a distance 15.

Each of the stationary jaws 13 is formed with a contact face 14 so that the

contact faces 14 of the stationary jaws 13 extend parallel to each other.

The head 12 includes a raised portion 16 formed on an upper face and an

insert 17 extending backward from the raised portion 16. The insert 17

includes a recess (FIG. 9) in a lower face to receive a spring 18 and a ball

19. The spring 18 is compressed between a closed end of the recess of the

insert 17 and a first portion of the ball 19 so that a second portion of the ball

19 extends from the insert 17 via an open end of the recess of the insert 17.

The first portion of the ball 19 is kept in the recess of the insert 17. A

colored layer 23 covers an upper face of the raised portion 16 of the bit 11

and an upper face of the insert 17. An identification symbol 27 is

supported on the upper face of the raised portion 16 of the bit 11. The

symbol 27 shows "29."

[0030] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the insert 17 is inserted in the bore

32. The second portion of the ball 19 pushes a first portion of a selected

one of the buttons 34 into a selected one of the apertures 33 so that the

second portion of the ball 19 enters the selected aperture 33 to keep the

insert 17 in the bore 32. Now, a second portion of the selected button 34

sticks out of the selected aperture 33.

[0031] When the second portion of the selected button 34 is pushed in

the selected aperture 33, the first portion of the button 34 pushes the second portion of the ball 19 out of the selected aperture 33 to allow movement of the insert 17 from the bore 32. Then, the bit 11 can be replaced with another bit.

[0032] The bit 11 including the stationary jaws 13 is in the form of a

head of an open-ended wrench. Thus, the combination of the bit 11 with

handle 30 becomes an open-ended wrench 10.

[0033] In operation, the contact faces 14 of the stationary jaws 13 are

expected to contact two opposite facets of a workpiece such as a nut or a

head or a threaded bolt. The workpiece cannot be located between the

stationary jaws 13 if the distance between the opposite facets of the

workpiece is larger than the distance between the contact faces 14 of the

stationary jaws 13. The opposite facets of the workpiece cannot be in

proper contact with the contact faces 14 of the stationary jaws 13 if the

distance between the opposite facets of the workpiece is excessively smaller

than the distance between the contact faces 14 of the stationary jaws 13.

That is, the bit 11 is only useful for rotating a workpiece in a size.

[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 8, the identification symbol 27 is

located in the colored layer 23. The color of the colored layer 23 is

identical or similar to the color of the colored area 64, and the color of the

colored area 64 is identical or similar to the color of the fourth colored area

85. Hence, it is obvious that the scale ring 80 should be rotated to align the

colored area 85 of the scale ring 80 with the pointer 54 so that the maximum

value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30 is set to be 65±5 Nm

when the bit 11 of 29 mm is used. There is no need for memorizing or

calculation.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, there is a wrench according to a

second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment is

like the first embodiment except for two things. Firstly, a colored layer 22

is supported on the head 12 instead of the colored layer 23 supported on the

raised portion 16 of the bit 11. Secondly, an identification symbol 26 is

supported on the raised portion 16 of the bit 11 instead of the identification

symbol 27. The symbol 26 shows "26." The color of the colored layer 22

is identical or similar to the color of the colored area 63, and the color of the

colored area 63 is identical or similar to the color of the fourth colored area

84. Hence, it is obvious that the scale ring 80 should be rotated to align the

colored area 84 of the scale ring 80 with the pointer 54 so that the maximum

value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30 is set to be 55±5 Nm

when the bit 11 of 26 mm is used. There is no need for memorizing or

calculation.

[0036] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 11, there is a wrench according to a

third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is like

the first embodiment except for two things. Firstly, a colored layer 21 is

supported on the raised portion 16 of the bit 11. Secondly, an identification

symbol 25 is supported on the raised portion 16 of the bit 11 instead of the

identification symbol 27. The symbol 25 shows "22." The color of the

colored layer 21 is identical or similar to the color of the colored area 62,

and the color of the colored area 62 is identical or similar to the color of the

fourth colored area 83. Hence, it is obvious that the scale ring 80 should be

rotated to align the colored area 83 of the scale ring 80 with the pointer 54

so that the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30 is set to be 42±5 Nm when the bit 11 of 22 mm is used. There is no need for memorizing or calculation.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 12, there is a wrench according to a

fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment is

like the first embodiment except for two things. Firstly, a colored layer 20

is supported on the head 12 and the raised portion 16 of the bit 11 instead of

the colored layer 23 supported on the raised portion 16 of the bit 11.

Secondly, an identification symbol 24 is supported on the raised portion 16

of the bit 11 instead of the identification symbol 27. The symbol 24 shows

"17." The color of the colored layer 20 is identical or similar to the color

of the colored area 61, and the color of the colored area 61 is identical or

similar to the color of the fourth colored area 82. Hence, it is obvious that

the scale ring 80 should be rotated to align the colored area 82 of the scale

ring 80 with the pointer 54 so that the maximum value of torque that can be

transferred by the handle 30 is set to be 18±5 Nm when the bit 11 of 17 mm

is used. There is no need for memorizing or calculation.

[0038] A color coding is shown in a table as follows:

Color Size Maximum Value of Torque (Nm)

colored layer 20 and

colored area 61 (or 17 18

colored area 82)

colored layer 21 and

colored area 62 (or 22 42

colored area 83)

colored layer 22 and 26 55 colored area 63 (or colored area 84) colored layer 23 and colored area 64 (or 29 65 colored area 85)

[00391 The bits 11 according to the first to fourth embodiments are

sorted in a group because they are all in the form of a head of an open-ended

wrench and because each of them is formed with the insert 17 for

engagement with the joint 31 of the handle 30. However, they bear

different colored layers and symbols corresponding to different values of the

distance between the contact faces 14 of the stationary jaws 13. Thus, they

are operable to exert different maximum values of torque on workpieces in

different sizes.

[00401 Referring to FIG. 13, there is shown a bit 11a according to fifth

embodiment of the present invention. Thebit 11a is inthe formof ahead

of an adjustable wrench. The bit 11a is formed with the insert 17 for

engagement with the joint 31 of the handle 30.

[00411 The bit 11a includes a head 12a, a stationary jaw 13a formed in

one piece with the head 12a, and a movable jaw 14a movably connected to

the head 12a. The head 12a includes a groove 29a in communication with

an opening 19a. The movable jaw 14a is formed with a rack 16a. The

rack 16a is movably inserted in the groove 29a. A worm 18a is rotationally

inserted in the opening 19a. The worm 18a is engaged with the rack 16a so

that the worm 18a is rotated to move the rack 16a in the groove 29a in operation. Accordingly, the movable jaw 14a is moved relative to the stationary jaw 13a.

[0042] The bit 11a includes colored layers 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a

respectively connected to identification symbols 24a, 25a, 26a and 27a.

The movable jaw 14a is provided with a pointer 28a in the form of a triangle

or arrow head for alignment with one identification symbols 24a, 25a, 26a

and 27a. The colored layer 20a and the identification symbol 24a are in a

samecolor. The colored layer 21a and the identification symbol 25a are in

a same color. The colored layer 22a and the identification symbol 26a are

in a same color. The colored layer 23a and the identification symbol 27a

areinasamecolor. The colored layers 20a, 21a, 22a and 23a are in

different colors corresponding to the colored layers 61, 62, 63 and 64.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 14, there is a bit 1lb according to a sixth

embodiment of the present invention and a bit Ic according to a seventh

embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] The bit 1lb is like the bit11 except for including a C-shaped

head 12b instead of the head 12. The head 12b includes two arched jaws

(not numbered) each of which includes a free end so that the free ends of the

jaws of the head 12b are separated from each other by a distance 15b. The

head 12b includes contact facets 14b arranged like a star instead of the

contact faces 14. For example, a colored layer 20b is supported on an

upper face of the head 12b. According to the color coding, the maximum

value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30 is 18±5 Nm when

the handle 30 is used with the bit 1lb.

[0045] The bit I1c is like the bitlb except for including an annular

head 12c instead of the C-shaped head 12b. The head 12b includes contact facets 14c arranged like a star. For example, a colored layer 21b is supported on an upper face of the head 12c. According to the color coding, the maximum value of torque that can be transferred by the handle 30 is

42±5 Nm when the handle 30 is used with the bit tIc.

[0046] Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is shown a torque tool

according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The eighth

embodiment is like the first embodiment except that the scale ring 80 does

not include any colored area. In operation, the scale ring 80 is rotated to

align the pointer 54 with a value on the scale 86 according to the number

61a,62a,63aor64a.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, there is shown a torque tool

according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. The ninth

embodiment is like the first embodiment except for including a block 541

instead of the indicating unit 50. The block 541 is in the form of a triangle

orarrowhead. The pointer 54 is a pointed portion of the block 541. In

use, the scale ring 80 is rotated to align the colored area 82, 83, 84 or 85

with the pointer 54 according to the colored layer 20, 21, 22 or 23. For

example, the colored area 84 is aligned with the pointer 54 according to the

colored layer 22 of the bit 11. Hence, the maximum value of torque that

can be transferred by the handle 30 is 55±5 Nm.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 19 and 20, there is shown a torque tool

according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. The tenth

embodiment is like the first embodiment except for several things. Firstly, the tenth embodiment is a screw driver 1Oa, not a wrench 10.

[0049] Secondly, the screw driver 1Oa includes a bit 1Id instead of the

biti1. The bit 1ld is in the form of a screw driverwithout a grip. Thebit

I1d includes cruciform tip 90 at an end, a socket 91 at an opposite end, and

a non-circular bore 92 in the socket 91. The bit ld includes a middle

section provided with a colored layer 23 for example.

[0050] Thirdly, the screw driver 10a includes a handle 30a instead of

thehandle30. The handle 30 includes a grip 41a, a non-circular insert 93

extending from a front end of the grip 41a, and a spring-biased ball 94

supported on the non-circular insert 93. The non-circular insert 93 is

inserted in the non-circular bore 92 to connect the handle 30a to the bit I1d.

The ball 94 abuts against a wall of the non-circular bore 92 to keep the bit

11d on the handle 30a.

[0051] Fourthly, the grip 41a includes a knob 49a provided at a rear

end. The knob 49a is a component of the controller 49. A non-movable

lens 70a is provided between the knob 49a and the grip 41a. Thelens70a

protectively covers a scale ring 80a.

[0052] Fifthly, the grip 41a is formed with a recess 542 instead of the

frame 53. The pointer 54 is a pointed portion of the recess 542. The

pointer 54 extends toward the scale ring 80a.

[0053] Sixthly, the label 60 includes an additional colored area 65 and

a number 65a located in the colored area 65. Similarly, the number 65a

represents a maximum value of torque transferable via the handle 30a.

[0054] Seventhly, a scale ring 80a is used instead of the scale ring 80.

The scale ring 80a is like the scale ring 80 except for including an additional

colored area 88. Moreover, each of the colored areas 82, 83, 84, 85 and 88

is provided with a number to represent a maximum value of torque that can

be transferred by the handle 30a.

[0055] The present invention has been described via the illustration of

the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can derive variations from the

embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Therefore, the embodiments shall not limit the scope of the present

invention defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A torque tool comprising:

multiple bits each of which comprises a colored area;

a handle for connection to a selected one of the bits, wherein the

handle is operable to set multiple maximum values of torque

transferable to the bit from the handle corresponding to the colored

areas of the bits;

a label supported on the handle, wherein the label comprises

multiple colored areas corresponding to the colored areas of the bits and

multiple numbers located in the colored areas of the label corresponding

to the maximum values of torque;

a pointer formed on the handle; and

a scale ring rotated around the handle as the handle is operated to set

the maximum values of torque, thereby aligning the pointer with a value

on the scale ring according to one of the numbers in a corresponding

one of the colored areas of the label corresponding to the colored area

of a selected one of the bits.

2. The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the handle comprises a

frame and a cavity in the frame, wherein the label is inserted in the

cavity.

3. The torque tool according to claim 2, comprising a transparent panel

connected to the frame to keep the label in the cavity.

4. The torque tool according to claim 3, wherein the label is printed on a

lower face of the transparent panel.

5. The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the label comprises four

colored areas.

6. The torque tool according to claim 1, wherein the scale ring comprises

multiple colored areas corresponding to the colored areas of the label,

wherein each of the colored areas of the scale ring represents one of the

maximum values of torque.

7. The torque tool according to claim 6, wherein the scale ring comprises

four colored areas, wherein the label comprises four colored areas.

8. The torque tool according to claim 2, wherein the pointer is a pointed

portion of the frame extending toward the scale ring.

9. The torque tool according to claim 8, comprising a unit of torque

located between the pointer and the cavity.

10. The torque tool according to claim 1, comprising a lens extending

around the handle to cover the scale ring.

11. A torque tool comprising:

multiple bits each of which comprises a colored area;

a handle for connection to a selected one of the bits, wherein the

handle is operable to set multiple maximum values of torque

transferable to the bit from the handle corresponding to the colored

areas of the bits;

a pointer formed on the handle; and

a scale ring comprising multiple colored areas corresponding to the

colored areas of the bits, wherein the scale ring is rotated around the

handle as the handle is operated to set the maximum values of torque,

thereby aligning the pointer with one of the colored areas of the scale

ring corresponding to the colored area of a selected one of the bits.

12. The torque tool according to claim 11, wherein the scale ring comprises

four colored areas.

13. The torque tool according to claim 11, comprising a block formed on

the handle, wherein the pointer is a pointed portion of the block

extending toward the scale ring.

14. The torque tool according to claim 13, wherein the block comprises a

unit of torque on an upper face.

15. The torque tool according to claim 11, comprising a recess in the handle,

wherein the pointer is a pointed portion of the recess extending toward

the scale ring.

16. The torque tool according to claim 11, comprising a lens extending

around the handle to cover the scale ring.

17. The torque tool according to claim 11, wherein the scale ring comprises

numbers located in the colored areas of the scale ring, respectively.

18. A torque tool comprising:

a pipe;

a rod pivotally connected to the pipe, wherein the rod comprises a

first end extending in the pipe and a second end extending out from the

pipe; a joint connected to the second end of the rod;

a grip rotatable on the pipe to select from multiple maximum values

of torque transferable via the pipe, the rod and the joint;

a label supported on the pipe, wherein the label comprises multiple

colored areas corresponding to the maximum values of torque; and;

a scale ring rotatable on the pipe with the grip, wherein the scale

ring comprises multiple colored areas corresponding to the colored

areas of the label.

19. The torque tool according to claim 18, wherein the handle comprises a frame and a cavity in the frame, wherein the label is inserted in the cavity.

20. The torque tool according to claim 19, comprising a transparent panel

connected to the frame to keep the label in the cavity.

21. The torque tool according to claim 20, wherein the label is printed on a

lower face of the transparent panel.

22. The torque tool according to claim 18, comprising a lens extending

around the pipe to cover the scale ring.

23. The torque tool according to claim 22, wherein the lens comprises a

notch for receiving the pointer.

24. The torque tool according to claim 18, wherein the scale ring comprises

a scale covered by the colored areas of the scale ring.