EP2529896A2 - Torque tool - Google Patents

Abstract

The torque tool (1) has a tool shaft (2) and a handle that is arranged at an end section (A) of the tool shaft. The tool shaft has a tangible counter holder (11), which is spaced apart in a distance (D) from the handle. The counter holder is made of two shells, which encloses the tool shaft in an area wise manner.

Description

The invention relates to a torque tool, in particular socket wrench, preferably ratchet or Drehwinkel- / torque wrench, according to the features in the preamble of claim 1.

Screw connections require the application of a defined tightening torque to ensure a secure and durable connection. To meet the required tightening torque values, special screwdriving tools are also used as torque tools in the form of angle or torque wrenches. Their operation provides that when the usually adjustable torque is reached, a noticeable and / or audible signal is triggered for the user. In this way, in addition to a too loose connection of the components consequently also over-tightening the screw effectively prevented. As an alternative to these triggering torque tools, the respective tightening torque can also be visually displayed continuously via scales or digital representations.

Compared to the purely indicative torque tools, the triggering types have a clamping unit, usually arranged on the inside, via which the required release torque is adjustable. Functionally, the clamping unit for this purpose a spring-loaded release, which is usually in operative relationship with a couplable with the fitting tool. During the application of the torque of the trigger is displaced until it overcomes the spring force on reaching the previously set value, and then this abruptly, for example, by tipping escapes. To transmit higher torques, the bias of the spring is increased accordingly, so that the tilting of the trigger is difficult.

The preload and relaxation is usually done via rotational movements, which are displaced by which parts of the clamping unit and compress the spring designed as a spiral spring axially or relax. To generate this rotational movement by manual force, several embodiments are already known in the art.

In the DE 20 2006 003 274 U1 The applicant is already described a torque tool in the form of a torque wrench, which has a tubular tool shank and arranged on an end portion of the tool shank handle. The clamping unit required for clamping the coil spring is in this case arranged within the handle. In order to generate the necessary rotational movement for adjusting the triggering moment, the handle is rotatably mounted on the tool shank. By a coupling, the rotational movement of the handle is transmitted to the clamping unit, wherein the respective length of the coil spring and thus the set torque is read via a arranged on the tool shank scale.

By this embodiment, an extremely compact and easy-to-use handling torque tool is shown, which is used to set the respective triggering moment only the required components for such a torque wrench anyway.

In particular, high applied torques require a correspondingly strong compression of the coil spring. Since the rotation of the handle relative to the tool shank takes place against the force of the coil spring, the maximum adjustable and thus to be transmitted torque is limited by the structural design.

In addition, the daily use of torque tools overall high demands on their operability, which must be given, for example, under some adverse circumstances. So even a superficial pollution can lead to the fact that not the necessary force can be applied to the adjustment, z. B. if a lubricant film is on the handle.

In order to compensate for the slippage, the force applied for encompassing must be correspondingly increased. Not infrequently, aids in the form of cloths or cloths are used in the final analysis, which should improve the contact between hand and tool.

In the same way, especially when applying high tightening torques, it must be ensured that the contact between hand and tool does not abruptly break off due to unintentional slipping, as a result of which injuries to the user can not be ruled out.

Against this background, the comfortable and particularly secure interface between user and torque tool still offers room for improvement.

The present invention is based on the object to improve a torque tool of the type described above in such a way that this even under difficult conditions provides a comfortable handle when setting the trigger torque at low risk of slipping.

The solution to this problem consists according to the invention in a torque tool with the features of claim 1.

Hereinafter, a torque tool is shown, which has a tool shank and arranged in a known manner at an end portion of the tool shaft handle. According to the invention, the tool shank has a counterhold which can be grasped by the respective user, in particular gripped around at least in some areas. The particular advantage lies in the fact that both hands of the user thereby obtain a clear and defined positioning on the torque tool. This is now specified by the handle and arranged on the tool shank counter holder.

In practice, it has been found that, in particular when applying higher tightening torques, the user grips the torque tool with both hands in order to comfortably guide the required pulling force into the tool. As a result, the tensile force to be transmitted is distributed to two hands, so that the necessary holding force for gripping the torque tool is reduced.

For this purpose, however, the embodiments known in the prior art offer only limited possibilities, for example, in that both hands grasp the end-side handle, which, however, as a rule offers too little grip area for this purpose. Often, the transition areas between the handle and the tool shank are then temporarily embraced solely for lack of space, which noticeably reduces the comfort. Otherwise, with the hand not applied to the handle, an area of the tool shank itself is grasped, which, however, also turns out to be uncomfortable and above all unsafe. This is due in particular to the smaller diameter of the tool shaft and its nature, which does not provide a sufficiently grippy surface, in most cases with respect to the handle.

In particular in combination with a handle rotatably mounted around the longitudinal axis of the tool shaft, the further advantages of the counter-holder according to the invention become clear. As stated above, the rotation of the handle relative to the tool shank in connection with the setting of the respective triggering torque. By means of the anvil, a second defined region of the torque tool is now available to the user in addition to the handle, which also offers the greatest possible convenience in handling.

The anvil and the handle are preferably designed to be equivalent in terms of their design and grip. The particular advantage is that both areas of the torque tool can now be embraced equivalently and rotated relative to each other to make the required setting of the triggering torque.

Depending on the configuration of the surfaces of the handle and the counter-holder excellent grip is achieved, so that the adjustment can be made easily and without slippage even with dirty hands or dirty tool.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims 2 to 12.

In an advantageous embodiment, the counter-holder can be formed from two shells. The shells enclose the tool shank at least partially in the coupled state.

Of course, the counter-holder can also be integrally formed, so that it is pushed as a whole from one end of the tool shaft on this. Analogous to a handle, which is mounted, for example, on the end portion of a bicycle handlebar, this can then be connected via corresponding fixing means, for example via an adhesive, with the tool shank.

The shell construction has the advantage that the anvil can be easily replaced even in the completed state of the torque tool and can be retrofitted in the form of a retrofit. As a result, not only the handle or a possibly already mounted tool head must be removed from the tool shank, since the two shells engage around the tool shank easily from two sides. In particular, any Cross-section jumps along the tool shaft thus do not constitute an obstacle, as would be the case when mounting a one-piece counter-holder.

If the counter-holder is formed from two shells, these are preferably designed identical. The identical design of the two shells allows an economical production method. In addition, any damage to only one of the two shells can be easily remedied by only one embodiment must be ordered or kept as a spare part without regard to any upper or lower shell.

In order to obtain a comfortable use and adapted to anatomical specifications embodiment of the torque tool, the anvil should be located at a distance from the handle.

The distance between the respective gripping areas determines how far the two hands of a user are distanced from each other while working with the torque tool. Depending on the length of the torque tool, the maximum distance is 30 cm. In an alternative embodiment, the distance is in particular from 5 cm to 20 cm. Depending on the version, the distance is preferably from 10 cm to 20 cm. Particularly preferred is a maximum distance of 15 cm is considered.

The invention provides that the counter-holder has a peripheral thickening towards at least one of its end sections. The thickening clearly marks the beginning or the end of the grip area, so that the respective hand of the user can be positioned exactly in the area assigned to it. Preferably, the anvil has a circumferential thickening at both of its end portions, whereby both the beginning and the end of the grip area are fixed. The effect of the thickening height jump in the cross section of the counter-holder allows use as an abutment on which the user's hand can be supported at least partially. Particularly in the case of a soiled counterholder or a hand of the user wetted with lubricants, the thickening, in particular the two thickenings, maximum safety against any slippage in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool shaft.

In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the encompassing diameter of the counter-holder can correspond to the diameter of the handle to be encompassed. As a result, both counter-holder and handle by the user haptically perceived as equal points of attack, which promotes a force entry on both hands.

In practice, it has been found that the area encompassed is loaded more strongly with one hand, which has the correspondingly larger diameter or at least lies better in the hand. Due to the direct comparison of the respective embraced diameter of the handle and the counterpart, even the smallest differences become noticeable, whereupon an uneven use, in particular an uneven force entry, takes place.

Basically, it is provided to choose the respective diameter of the handle and counter-holder so that the average size of a user's hand can grasp this safely and with the utmost comfort.

With regard to the thickening, in particular the thickening of the counter-holder, these have a specific ratio in their diameter to the diameter of the counter-holder. Thus, the diameter of the thickening and the diameter of the counter-holder may have a ratio of 1: 1.15 to 1: 1.35 to each other. In an alternative embodiment, the diameter of the thickening and the diameter of the counter-holder may in particular have a ratio of 1: 1.2 to 1: 1.3 to each other. By adhering to these conditions, the greatest possible compromise between the use of thickening as an abutment against a slipping of the hand and the possibility of at least partially encircling the thickening is achieved.

Thus, it may be necessary, especially in confined spaces, to choose the position of the hand holding the counter-holder so that it does not lie completely in the gripping area of the counter-holder, but beyond it at least part of the thickening is recorded. This is therefore only possible if the thickening does not exceed a certain diameter.

In addition, compliance with the aforementioned ratios of the diameter of the thickening and the counter-holder causes the thickening causes the smallest possible increase in cross-section of the torque tool in the range of the tool shank, despite the greatest possible comfort for the user's hand. As a result, a possible interference by the counter-holder, especially in confined spaces, largely avoided.

Basically, the anvil can have various contours following anatomical aspects, which are arranged in particular in the grip area. Thus, the counter-holder, for example, in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the tool shaft juxtaposed recessed grips include, which can each serve to receive a finger portion of the user.

Preferably, the counter-holder is cylindrical, in particular in its grip area. The cylindrical configuration of the grip region can also be bulged or constricted correspondingly opposite. In the cross section of the counter-holder, the opposing regions of the grip region can consequently have a biconvex or biconcave configuration relative to one another.

To achieve the greatest possible comfort, the counter-holder can have an at least rounded transition region between its gripping region to be encompassed and the at least one thickening. Due to the rounded configuration of the transition region, a pressure load which remains as constant as possible on parts of the hand, in particular on the edge of the hand, is made possible. Preferably, the transition region has the shape of a truncated cone. In a further embodiment, the transition region can also have the shape of a section of a single-shell hyperboloid. Due to the design of the transition area thickening and grip area of the counter-holder are harmoniously adapted to each other to offer the greatest possible comfort to the respective user.

In order to increase the contact with the palm of the respective user, the gripping region of the counter-holder may at least partially include appropriate materials in addition to a corresponding shape. Preferably, the counter-holder may have, at least in some areas, an insert which, for example, is made softer and / or grippier than the remaining materials of the counter-holder. In an advantageous manner, at least the insert is selected from materials which are of limited elasticity, so that the greatest possible contact is made possible when the counterholder grips around the hand of the user.

The contact is increased by the fact that in particular the insert is limited yielding, so that in the sequence parts of the hand are at least partially encompassed by the depositor. The thereby achieved even pressure distribution on the user's hand in the contact area to the anvil offers maximum comfort.

The counter-holder can in principle be fixed in position on the tool shank via a cohesive connection, for example via an adhesive. It is also conceivable a pure clamping.

Preferably, the counter-holder in the region of its at least one thickening on at least one receiving opening, which is provided for at least partially receiving a connecting means. In particular, when using two identical shells these may have opposing receiving openings through which a corresponding connecting means may be passed. Thus, the opposite receiving openings may be interspersed with a corresponding screw, which is secured on the opposite side via a nut.

The counter-holder may have a connection between the shells, by which the shells are connected to one another at least to a limited extent movable on one side parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tool shank. Through this connection, the two shells can be connected to each other, for example in the form of a hinge. During assembly, the two shells so at least on their the hinge opposite longitudinal side are opened, in order to be guided around the tool shank around and closed again.

In order to achieve the necessary clamping effect, the longitudinal side opposite the hinge of the counter-holder is at least partially, in particular punctually interspersed with corresponding connection means on the receiving openings through which the counter-holder is suitably closed and clamped on the tool shank when they are tightened.

The counter-holder may have in the region of its inner circumference a contact means, which is thus arranged between the counter-holder and the tool shank. The contact means may be, for example, an adhesive. Furthermore, the contact means may also be formed by a resilient material, which increases its adhesion to the tool shank by the clamping action of the counter-holder.

The adhesive can also consist of special contours, which increase the adhesion on the tool shank in combination with certain material properties of the counter-holder. In principle, the tool shank and the counter-holder can also have at least one coordinated contour, so that the counter-holder is fixed to the tool shank on this shank when it is arranged. It is conceivable here, for example, a pinning between the tool shank and counter-holder, so that the contact means, for example, consists of a recess and one of the opposite arranged increase.

In the context of the invention, it is considered particularly advantageous that the tool shank of the torque tool is made in one piece. The one-piece design relates in particular to the portion of the torque tool in which the tool shank extends between the tool head or its receptacle and the handle arranged at the opposite end.

In the present case, a torque tool is shown, which offers an extremely comfortable handling for the respective user. By means of the counter-holder arranged on the tool shank at a defined distance from the handle, it is already structurally possible to operate the torque tool with both hands. Advantageously, in particular high torques can be generated by the fact that the user can produce a correspondingly high contact with the torque tool both hands and can initiate the applied force comfortably over two hands in this. As a result, the required for transmitting the tensile force on the torque tool holding force of the otherwise single hand is transferred to two hands and thus partially reduced to half.

Even with the use of the counter-holder with adjustable torque tools, the counter-holder offers an equal counter-bearing for the hand of the respective user in order to carry out the triggering torque, which is usually set via a rotation of the handle. Thanks to the design of the handle and in particular of the counter-holder slipping is largely avoided during the application of force, in particular the otherwise not unusual encompassing the smooth and against the handle thinner tool shank is counteracted.

Figur 1

ein erfindungsgemäßes Drehmomentwerkzeug in einer perspektivischen Ansicht;

Figur 2

das Drehmomentwerkzeug aus Figur 1 in einer teilweisen Explosionsdarstellung in derselben Darstellungsweise;

Figur 3

ein umgreifbares Detail des Drehmomentwerkzeugs der Figuren 1 und 2 in einer Ansicht sowie

Figur 4

das Detail aus Figur 3 in einer geschnittenen Ansicht in derselben Darstellungsweise.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to some schematically illustrated in the drawings embodiments. Show it:

FIG. 1

an inventive torque tool in a perspective view;

FIG. 2

the torque tool off FIG. 1 in a partial exploded view in the same representation;

FIG. 3

an encompassable detail of the torque tool of FIGS. 1 and 2 in a view as well

FIG. 4

the detail FIG. 3 in a cut view in the same way.

FIG. 1 shows a torque tool 1 according to the invention in a perspective view. This is an adjustable torque wrench in the present case. The torque tool 1 has a tubular tool shaft 2 which extends in its longitudinal direction X. To whose - with reference to the representation of FIG. 1 - Located right end portion A, a handle 3 is arranged, which is mounted around the longitudinal axis X in the direction X1 rotatably mounted on the tool shank 2.

The handle 3 is coupled directly or indirectly to a clamping unit, not shown in the interior of the handle 3 and / or tool shank 2. By the rotation of the handle 3, a helical compression spring is tensioned or relieved, in a manner not shown, via which the respective applied tightening torque is preset.

In a transition region B between the tool shank 2 and the handle 3, a scale 4 is arranged, which may have not shown in detail numerical information about the currently set torque. The transition region B is tapered with respect to the tool shank 2, wherein it is reduced in its cross section.

Towards the transitional region B, the handle 3 opens into a circumferential rim 5 which bears tightly against the transitional region B of the tool shank 2. Due to the possible rotational movement of the handle in the direction of X1, the ring 5 is displaced together with the handle 3 in a manner not shown in the direction of the longitudinal axis X limited. The rim 5 has a circumferentially extending grid 6 with further numerical information. The respective position of the free edge of the ring 5 relative to the scale 4 of the tool shank 2 reveals the currently set tightening torque. In combination with screening 6, this information is additionally specified.

Furthermore, the handle 3 to the rim 5 toward an annular collar 7, which has a relation to the handle 3 1.5 times to 2 times larger diameter. The collar 7 serves to clearly define a grip area 8 of the handle 3, which is available for grasping with the hand of a user stands. At the same time, the collar 7 serves to allow the user's hand to rest on it, effectively preventing any slippage in the direction of the longitudinal axis X.

With regard to the end portion A, it is clear that the handle 3 at its opposite end of the collar 7 has a circumferential thickening 9 relative to the handle portion 8. This also serves to limit the grip area 8 and the secure guidance of the hand of the respective user.

A the end portion A opposite end portion C of the tool shank 2 is used for coupling with a tool head, not shown, which serves to accommodate also not shown tools, usually Aufstecknüsse. For this purpose, the otherwise circular in cross-section tool shank 2 is flattened at its end portion C, so that forms a rectangular opening 10 at the end. The opening 10 has two opposite parallel extending long walls 10a, which are interconnected by correspondingly short walls 10b. The transition between the long walls 10a and the short walls 10a is rounded.

Between the handle 3 and serving for receiving a tool head not shown end portion C, a counter-holder 11 is arranged on the tool shank 2. The counter-holder 11 is cylindrical and has thickenings 12, 13 arranged at its two end sections, which extend circumferentially around the end sections of the counter-holder.

Between the two thickenings 12, 13 of the counter-holder 11, this has a circumferential grip region 14.

Both the handle region 8 of the handle and the grip region 14 of the counter-holder 11 are defined by their essentially mutually parallel lateral surfaces, which are provided for grasping by the hand of a user. As handle portion 8, 14 of the handle 3 and the counter-holder 11 is thus to be understood the part of the respective lateral surface, which each forms essential part of the counter-holder 11 or the handle before it goes into any transitions or cross-sectional jumps.

In the present case, the counter-holder 11 is spaced at a defined distance D from the handle 3. The distance D between the anvil 11 and the handle 3 is defined by the distances between the respective grip areas 8, 14 to each other. In the present case, the distance D corresponds to from 150% to 170% of the width of the grip region 14 of the counter-holder 11 measured in the direction of the longitudinal axis X. The diameter d1 of the counter-holder 11 measured centrally in the grip region 14 corresponds to the diameter d2 of the dia. Also measured in the center of the grip region 8 Handle 3.

FIG. 2 shows the torque tool 1 of FIG. 1 with pulled-apart counter-holder 11. In this view, it can be seen that the counter-holder 11 is formed by two identical shells 11a, 11b. The shells 11a, 11b enclose the tool shank 2 in the coupled state at least in regions. In the region of the thickenings 12, 13 of the counter-holder 11, the receiving openings 15 that pass through are in each case arranged at the corners of the shells 11a, 11b. The receiving openings 15 serve to receive connecting means 16, with which the receiving openings 15 are interspersed in each case.

Furthermore, it can be clearly seen that the tool shank 2 is embodied in one piece between its end section C serving to receive a tool head, not shown, and the handle 3.

FIG. 3 represents the portion of the tool shank 2 surrounding the counter-holder 11 in a view. It can be seen in the illustration that the cylindrically shaped grip region 14 of the counter-holder 11 bulges towards its center. Thus, the sides of the lateral surface surrounding the grip region 14 do not run parallel to one another. In principle, the lateral surfaces can also have a parallel course to one another.

The diameter d1 of the grip region, more specifically of the counter-holder 11, always refers to the largest diameter of the grip region 14.

The grip area 14 between them enclosing thickenings 12, 13 of the counter-holder 11 have a larger diameter d3 on the other hand. The diameter d3 of the two thickenings 12, 13 is identical in the present case. In principle, the diameters d3 of the two thickenings 12, 13 can also deviate from one another. With reference to the representation of FIG. 3 the diameter d3 of the thickenings 12, 13 and the diameter d1 of the counter-holder 11, more precisely its grip area 14, have a ratio of 1: 1.24 to one another.

Furthermore, the counter-holder 11 has a rounded transition region 17 between its gripping region 14 to be encompassed and the thickenings 12, 13. In the present case, the transition region 17 has the shape of a section of a single-shell hyperboloid. In principle, the transition region 15 can also have, for example, the shape of a truncated cone.

The counter-holder 11 has in its handle portion 14 on an insert 18, which occupies most of the grip portion 14. The material used for the insert 18 differs from the material of the counter-holder 11. Preferably, the insert 18 is made of a softer material to improve the contact with the hand of the respective user.

In the present case, the insert 18 has an oval shape, which with reference to the FIGS. 1 and 2 each one shell 11 a, 11 b of the counter-holder 11 circumferentially surrounds. The insert 18 is spaced apart from the longitudinal edges of the respective shells 11a, 11b so that an edge formed from the material of the counter-holder 11 is formed.

In this view, it is clear that the receiving openings 15 (see FIG. 2 ) passing through connecting means 16 are screws whose respective heads 16a are recessed into recesses 19 arranged around the receiving openings 15. As can be seen, the connecting means 16 are each inserted diagonally with respect to the counter-holder 11 in the receiving openings 15 rectified, so that in each case the connecting means 16 inserted into one of the thickenings 12, 13 are oppositely oriented. That the Screw head 16a of the respective connecting means 16 opposite end passes through a likewise arranged in the recesses 19 nut 16b.

FIG. 4 shows a section through the counter-holder 11. Opposite the illustration FIG. 3 is the counter-holder 11 in this case rotated by 90 ° about the longitudinal axis X of the tool shank 2. The view illustrates that the insert 18 does not completely cover the grip area 14. Rather, the insert 18 in FIG. 3 recognizable openings through which parts of the counter-holder 11 are visible. These parts of the counter-holder 11 pierce the openings of the insert 18 in the form of elevations 20. In addition to the optical quality of the contact with the user's hand is improved because when embracing the handle portion 14 of the insert 18 partially yields and the respective elevations 20 of the counter-holder 11 appear accordingly stronger and connect with the hand.

In the region of the thickenings 12, 13 of the counter-holder 11, in each case a circumferential contact means 21 is arranged, which extends between the counter-holder 11 and the tool shank 2 of the torque tool 1. This may also be a compressible material, which fixes the counter-holder 11 in the mounted state on the tool shank 2.

Reference numerals:

1 -

torque tool

2 -

tool shank

3 -

handle

4 -

scale

5 -

wreath

6 -

scanning

7 -

collar

8th -

grip area

9 -

thickening

10 -

opening

10a -

Wall, long

10b -

Wall, in short

11 -

backstop

11a -

Bowl

11b -

Bowl

12 -

thickening

13 -

thickening

14 -

grip area

15 -

receiving opening

16 -

connecting means

16a -

screw head

16b -

mother

17 -

Transition area

18 -

depositors

19 -

recess

20 -

increase

21 -

contact means

A -

end

B -

Transition area

C -

end

D -

distance

d1 -

diameter

d2 -

diameter

d3 -

diameter

X -

longitudinal axis

X1 -

direction

Claims (12)

A torque tool comprising a tool shank (2) and a handle (3) arranged at an end portion (A) of the tool shank (2), characterized in that the tool shank (2) comprises a tangible counter-holder (11) spaced at a distance ( D) is spaced from the handle (3). Torque tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the counter-holder (11) of two shells (11a, 11 b) is formed, which surround the tool shank (2) at least partially. Torque tool according to claim 2, characterized in that the shells (11 a, 11 b) are of identical construction. Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the counter-holder (11) has at least one of its end portions towards a circumferential thickening (12, 13). Torque tool according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the diameter (d1) of the counter-holder (11) to be encompassed corresponds to the diameter (d2) of the handle (3) to be encompassed. Torque tool according to claim 5, characterized in that the diameter (d3) of the thickening (12, 13) and the diameter (d1) of the counter-holder (11) have a ratio of 1: 1.15 to 1: 1.35 to each other. Torque tool according to claim 5, characterized in that the diameter (d3) of the thickening (12, 13) and the diameter (d1) of the counter-holder (11) have a ratio of 1: 1.2 to 1: 1.3 to each other. Torque tool according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the counter-holder (11) between its gripping region (14) and the at least one thickening (12, 13) has a transition region (17) in the form of a truncated cone or in the form of a section a single-shell hyperboloid. Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the counter-holder (11) at least partially has an insert (18). Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the counter-holder (11) in the region of its at least one thickening (12, 13) has at least one receiving opening (15) for a connecting means (16). Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the counter-holder (11) in the region of its inner circumference has a contact means (21) which is arranged between the counter-holder (11) and the tool shank (2). Torque tool according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the tool shank (2) is made in one piece.

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