Base for disposable selectable torque limiting device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9409285-B2
Application number	US-201514627877-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 20, 2015
Priority date	Aug 30, 2012
Publication date	Aug 9, 2016
Grant date	Aug 9, 2016

Abstract

A unitary base for a torque limiting device is disclosed. The base accepting a plurality of swappable torque limiting fixtures (STLF), whereby a single unitary disposable plastic base may be utilized to form a variety of different specific torque limiting devices and a method to construct and configure such a device.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A torque limiting device comprising:
a hollow body with and open proximal end and open distal end forming a handle;
an internal wall bisecting said hollow body into a first and a second section;
a channel formed through said internal wall fluidly connecting said first and said second sections; a nose supported on a circular base which fits movably into said hollow body;
a front side of said nose with a tool extending therefrom; a backside with said nose having gears, an extended neck and a pin mounting guide and a bearing surface; a clutch having gears on its top, a pass through channel therein, an annular wall surrounding the gear, a bearing surface surrounding the gear, and a drive catch formed in the annular wall; a coil spring fixed to the pin mounting guide via the pass through channel; a swappable torque limiting fixture (STLF) having an elongated body with a pin at one end and a flange with bearing at the other end; an identifier on the back side of the flange whereby a torque limit is designated;
a drive spline extending from the internal wall of the hollow body and aligned with the drive catch.

2. The device of claim 1 , further comprising: a circular cap fitted into the distal end of the body; and, a window through the back of the cap.

3. The device of claim 2 , further comprising an identifier on the back side of the flange which is visible through said window.

4. A kit for forming a torque limiting device comprising:
a partially assembled torque limiting device comprising;
a hollow body with and open proximal end and open distal end forming a handle;
an internal wall bisecting said hollow body into a first and a second section;
a channel formed through said internal wall fluidly connecting said first and said second sections; a nose supported on a circular base which fits movably into said hollow body;
a front side of said nose with a tool extending therefrom; a backside with said nose having gears, an extended neck and a pin mounting guide and a bearing surface; a clutch having gears on its top, a pass through channel therein, an annular wall surrounding the gear, a bearing surface surrounding the gear, and a drive catch formed in the annular wall; a coil spring fixed to the pin mounting guide via the pass through channel; a selection of swappable torque limiting fixture (STLF) each having an elongated body with a pin at one end, a flange with bearing at the other end and an identifier on the STLF providing a visual que corresponding to the torque properties of the device if it uses that particular STLF; a drive spline extending from the internal wall of the hollow body and aligned with the drive catch.

Assignees

• Eca Medical Instr

Inventors

• Ivinson David
• Nino John

Classifications

• Y10T29/4984

  Retaining clearance for motion between assembled parts · CPC title

• B25B23/0042

  Connection means between screwdriver handle and screwdriver shaft · CPC title

• B25B23/1422

  torque indicators or adjustable torque limiters · CPC title

• B25B15/02

  operated by rotating the handle · CPC title

• A61B90/03

  Automatic limiting or abutting means, e.g. for safety · CPC title