GB2180785A

GB2180785A - Torque applying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2180785A
Application number: GB08622970A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Roger Harrington
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-09-24
Filing date: 1986-09-24
Publication date: 1987-04-08
Also published as: GB8523585D0; GB2180785B; GB8622970D0

Abstract

Torque applying apparatus comprises a wrench 1 for applying torque about a turning axis to a rotatable fastening element on application of foot pressure to uppermost pad 5, and stabilising means 9, 10 for maintaining the turning axis of said wrench in a fixed position, which stabilising means comprise a stabilising member 10 for making contact with a fixed surface, and a stabilising element 9 for securing the stabilising member to the wrench. The stabilising element can be moved along the stabilising member and locked to a required position by rotation of the member about its longitudinal axis. Other means are disclosed for locating the stabilising element at a required position in the stabilising member. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Torque applying apparatus This invention relates to a torque applying apparatus suitable for applying torque to a rotatable fastening element, such as a nut for a wheel on an automotive vehicle or a nut on a household apparatus, such as a washing machine.

In some circumstances it may be necessary to apply a substantial torque to a wrench, when tightening or untightening a nut; for example, when removing or attaching a wheel to an automotive vehicle. A young lady or an elderly person may well find it difficult to untighten or tighten such a nut.

This invention has as an object the provision of apparatus which ameliorates the aforementioned problems.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a torque applying apparatus comprising a wrench for applying torque about a turning axis to a rotatable fastening element, and stabilising means for maintaining the turning axis of said wrench in a fixed position, which stabilising means comprise a stabilising member for making contact with a fixed surface, and a stabilising element for securing the stabilising member to the wrench.

The term "wrench" used in the, foregoing definition is intended to embrace a tube wrench and a socket spanner, each with or without a ratchet action.

The wrench preferably comprises a positioning member, constituting a body of the wrench and defining the turning axis which the wrench may rotate, a socket preferably attached to a distal end of the positioning member and a lever member extending radially from the positioning member, for applying a torque to the wrench about the turning axis.

The socket may comprise a fixed socket or a square drive accepting a variable size of socket.

The stabilising element is preferably attached to a proximal end of the positioning member. The stabilising element is very preferably attached to the positioning member in such a way that the positioning member is free to rotate about the turning axis, with the stabilising element maintained in a fixed position.

The stablising member very preferably comprises a pipe, secured by securing means to the stabilising element.

The securing means are preferably adjustable so that the stabilising element may be secured to the stabilising member at a selected position on the stabilising member.

Preferably the stabilising member makes contact with a said fixed surface by resting a distal end of the stabilising member on the ground. The stabilising member may be clamped or held for support at a proximal end.

The distal end may be coated with any suitable material, such as rubber, which improves friction between the stabilising member and a said fixed surface.

The components of the torque applying apparatus of the present invention are preferably made of metal.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of tightening or untightening a rotatable fastening element, comprising the steps of placing a wrench on a rotatable fastening element so that a torque may be applied to the wrench about a turning axis, stabilising the position of the wrench in order to maintain the turning axis of the wrench in a fixed position, by adjusting the height of a stabilising member, connected to the wrench, so that one end of the stabilising member rests on a fixed surface.

Preferred embodiments of torque applying apparatus of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of an embodiments of a torque applying apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows a side view of the torque applying apparatus of Fig. 1.

Figure 3 shows a rear view of the torque applying apparatus of Fig. 1 Figure 4 shows a plan view of an embodiment of securing means for the torque applying apparatus of Fig. 1.

Figure 5 shows a side view of a second embodiment of securing means for a torque applying apparatus of the present invention.

Figure 6 shows a side view of a third embodiment of securing means for a torque applying apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 7 shows a side view of a fourth embodiment of securing means for a torque applying apparatus according to the present invention.

Figure 8 shows a plan view of the securing means of Fig. 7.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4 there is shown therein an embodiment of a torque applying apparatus according to the present invention for use specifically on a wheel nut of an automotive vehicle. A wrench 1, which has no ratchet action, comprises a positioning member 2, onto which is attached a socket 3 of size 3/4" A.F., at a distal end of the positioning member 2. The positioning member 2 is capable of rotation about a turning axis. A lever member 4 extends radially from the positioning member 2, so that torque may be applied to the wrench 1. A foot pad 5 is provided on the lever member 4. A stabilising element is provided by a "U" plate 6 freely attached to a proximal end of the positioning member 2 by a rivet 7, such that the positioning member 2 is free to rotate about the turning axis with respect to the fixed position of the "U" plate 6.The rivet 7 engages the central position of the "U" plate 6. Two aligned oval-shaped holes 8 are provided in the two side members 9 of the "U" plate 6.

A stabilising member 10 comprises a pipe with an oval cross section. The stabilising member 10 is positioned to extend within the oval-shaped holes of the "U" plate 6. The stabilising member 10 is bent over at one end to provide a handle 11, which is flattened at is end to provide a hub cap puller 12. The other end of the stabilising member 10 is covered with a rubber foot 13. The securing means are provided by the oval shaped holes 8 and the oval-sectioned stabilising member 10.

Referring to Fig. 5 there is shown therein securing means comprising a small cam 14, with a cam handle 15. The cam 14 is attached to an additional side member 16 of a "U" plate 6. The stabilising member 10 has a circular cross section and extends within circular holes in the "U" plate 6. Secural of the stabilising member 10 to the "U" plate 6 occurs by rotation of the cam handle 15.

Referring to Fig. 6 there is shown therein securing means comprising a ratchet 17, attached to an additional side member 16 of a "U" plate 6. The stabilising member 10 has a circular cross section and extends within circular holes in the "U" plate 6.

Referring to Fig. 7 there is shown therein securing means provided by a bayonet fitting 18. A plurality of flanges 19 are provided on a stabilising member 10. A stabilising element 20 is also provided.

Referring to Fig. 8 there is shown therein the stabilising member 10 of Fig. 7 which has a circular cross section and extends within a circular hole 21 in the stabilising element 20.

Two slots 22 are also provided in the stabilising element 20 on the periphery of the hole 21. The securing position of the stabilising member 10 to the stabilising element 20 is determined by rotation of the stabilising member 10 to a position such that the flanges 19 and the slots 22 are aligned, wherein the wrench 1 can be moved up or down with respect to the stabilising member 10. Secural of the stabilising member 10 to the stabilising element 20 occurs by rotation of the stabilising member 10 so that the flanges 19 and slots 22 are no longer aligned, wherein the stabilising element 20 rests on the flanges 19.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4, the wrench is positioned so that the socket 3 is placed on a wheel nut, with the positioning member 2 and the lever member 4 both in a horizontal position. In order for the positioning member 2 to be horizontal or level with the ground, the stabilising member 10 is adjusted within the "U" plate 6 such that the rubber foot 13 rests on the ground. Engagement of the stabilising member 10 to the "U" plate 6 occurs by rotating the oval-sectioned stabilising member 10 within the oval holes 8 of the "U" plate 6. This prevents the wrench 1 moving freely up or down by friction between the stabilising member 10 and the inside periphery of the oval shaped holes 8.

The handle 10 may be held by a person, to keep the turning axis of the wrench in a fixed position. This enables a said person to apply a substantial torque to the lever member 4, e.g. by placing a foot on the foot pad 5, and pressing downwards. This enables a person easily to tighten or untighten a wheel nut, depending upon which side of the positioning member 2 the lever member 4 is located.

By means of the present invention a convenient method of applying torque to a wrench is provided by maintaining the wrench in such a position that a substantial torque, either by using a person's weight or by using both arms, may readily be used to tighten or untighten a rotatable fastening element.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the invention can be performed otherwise than as has been particularly described and the invention includes within its scope all changes or modifications to the invention as would be apparent of one skilled in the art.

Claims

1. Torque applying apparatus comprising a wrench for applying torque about a turning axis to a rotatable fastening element, and stabilising means for maintaining the turning axis of said wrench in a fixed position, which stabilising means comprise a stabilising member for making contact with a fixed surface, and a stabilising element for securing the stabilising member to the wrench.

2. Torque applying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said wrench comprises a positioning member, constituting a body of the wrench and defining the turning axis about which the wrench may rotate, a socket-attached to a distal end of the positioning member and a lever member extending radially from the positioning member, for applying a torque to the wrench about the turning axis.

3. Torque applying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said stabilising element is attached to a proximal end of the positioning member.

4. Torque applying apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein said stabilising element is attached to the positioning member in such a way that the positioning member is free to rotate about the turning axis, with the stabilising element maintained in a fixed position.

5. Torque applying apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said stabilising member comprises a pipe.

6. Torque applying apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein securing means are provided to secure said stabilising member to said stabilising element.

7. Torque applying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said securing means are adjustable.

8. Torque applying apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said stabilising member is adapted to make contact with a said fixed surface by resting a distal end of the stabilising member of the ground.

9. Torque applying apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of tightening or untightening a rotatable fastening element, comprising the steps of placing a wrench on a rotatable fastening element so that a torque may be applied to the wrench about a turning axis, stabilising the position to the wrench in order to maintain the turning axis of the wrench in a fixed position, by adjusting the height of a stabilising member, connected to the wrench, so that one end of the stabilising member rests on a fixed surface.

11. The features hereinbefore disclosed, or their equivalents, in any novel selection.