Ultra high torque device

{
  "publication_number": "US10245094B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Ultra high torque device",
  "abstract": "A torque-limiting device may include a shaft extending axially through upper and lower shanks and a spring to connect to a nut. The upper and lower shanks may be under a force from the spring and further configured to selectively engage within a predetermined torque limit and disengage at above the predetermined torque limit. Accordingly, the shaft may receive torque up to the predetermined limit as provided by a user operating a handle of the torque-limiting device. The torque-limiting device may be disposable, reusable, economical, and have high torque capabilities.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A torque-limiting driver comprising: a body having a handle and a hollow cylindrical portion, the body further comprising a circumferential flange extending radially inward within the hollow cylindrical portion; an upper cylindrical shank comprising a plastic material or a composite including plastic; a lower cylindrical shank comprising a plastic material or a composite including plastic and having a socket; a nut; a spring between the upper cylindrical shank and the nut, wherein the spring is configured to apply a force across the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank; a shaft having a workpiece-engaging tip and a square drive connection engaged within the square drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank, the shaft extending axially through the lower cylindrical shank, the upper cylindrical shank, and the spring and connected to the nut, and the square drive connection placed at a medial segment of the shaft; and, wherein the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank engage for relative rotation, and wherein the upper cylindrical shank and the lower cylindrical shank disengage when a predetermined torque limit is exceeded; and, wherein the lower cylindrical shank and the upper cylindrical shank each comprise a circumferential rim extending radially outward at the ends where the lower cylindrical shank and the upper cylindrical shank engage with each other, with the circumferential flange of the body disposed between the circumferential rims.",
    "2. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1, wherein the shaft includes a threading that is threaded onto the nut.",
    "3. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1, wherein a force provided by the spring securely maintains the drive connection of the shaft engaged within the drive socket of the lower cylindrical shank.",
    "4. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1, wherein the nut includes a lower portion having an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the spring and extending axially through at least a portion of the spring.",
    "5. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1, further comprising at least two washers between the spring and the upper cylindrical shank.",
    "6. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1, further comprising a washer between the lower cylindrical shank and the body.",
    "7. The torque-limiting driver of claim 1, wherein the predetermined torque limit is between about 70 inch-pounds and about 150 inch-pounds."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field This disclosure relates to a driver tool and, in particular, to a medical use torque-limiting driver that disengages at a predetermined torque limit. 2. General Background Torque is a measure of force acting on an object that causes that object to rotate. In the case of a driver and a fastener, this measurement can be calculated mathematically in terms of the cross product of specific vectors: τ= r×F Where r is the vector representing the distance and direction from an axis of a fastener to a point where the force is applied and F is the force vector acting on the driver. Torque has dimensions of force times distance and the SI unit of torque is the Newton meter (N-m). The joule, which is the SI unit for energy or work, is also defined as an N-m, but this unit is not used for torque. Since energy can be thought of as the result of force times distance, energy is always a scalar whereas torque is force cross-distance and so is a vector-valued quantity. Other non-SI units of torque include pound-force-feet, foot-pounds-force, ounce-force-inches, meter-kilograms-force, inch-ounces or inch-pounds.\n\nTorque-limiting drivers are widely used throughout the medical industry. These torque-limiting drivers have a factory pre-set torque to ensure the accuracy and toughness required to meet a demanding surgical environment. The medical industry has made use of both reusable and disposable torque-limiting drivers. In a surgical context, there is little room for error and these drivers must impart a precise amount of torque.",
  "cpc": [
    "A61B 17/8883",
    "A61B 2090/031",
    "A61B 90/00",
    "A61B 90/03",
    "A61C 8/0089",
    "B25B 13/06",
    "B25B 15/00",
    "B25B 23/0035",
    "B25B 23/142",
    "B25B 23/1427"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "A61B 17/88",
    "A61B 90/00",
    "A61C 8/00",
    "B25B 13/06",
    "B25B 15/00",
    "B25B 23/00",
    "B25B 23/142"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "ECA MEDICAL INSTR"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "NINO JOHN",
    "IVINSON DAVID"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-08-24",
  "publication_date": "2019-04-02",
  "grant_date": "2019-04-02",
  "priority_date": "2010-05-06",
  "application_number": "US-201615246310-A",
  "family_id": "44904401",
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}