Thomas J Neal

US Patent:

6499358, Dec 31, 2002

Filed:

Dec 27, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/472776

Inventors:

Michael P. Hogan - Boulder CO
Thomas G. Neal - Boulder CO
Jason P. Small - Boulder CO
Arlan J. Reschke - Longmont CO
Terrance M. Duffin - Westminster CO
Arthur L. Schoenman - Longmont CO

Assignee:

Sherwood Services AG - Schaffhausen

International Classification:

G01F 166

US Classification:

7386221

Abstract:

A torque apparatus for the installation and removal of threaded connecting device that employs a plurality of leaf spring elements engaging a plurality of asymmetrical drive teeth sides to establish preset torque values in a hermetically sealed configuration or a variable range of preset torque values in a second configuration. The preset torque values can be readily changed in the second configuration by employing different quantities of leaf springs, differing leaf spring designs, or varying the geometry of the rotor drive teeth. The leaf spring to rotor drive teeth interface provides a slip mechanism to prevent over-torquing when torque values for the installation of a threaded connecting type device is exceeded. While both torque wrench configurations are sterilizable, the torque wrench that is capable of full disassembly for sterilization and use thereafter in a sterilized environment, is reconfigurable for different torque applications without calibration. The wrench can be primarily constructed as disposable device.