Coaxial connector socket wrench

[0001] The invention pertains to torque wrenches usable in connection with electrical connectors. More particularly, the invention pertains to socket-type torque wrenches suited for use with high density, miniature RF connectors.

[0002] A variety of known connectors are available for use with coaxial cable. These include SMA, SSMA, and SMC-type coaxial connectors. Such connectors are available in both straight and right angle configurations with threaded studs to which the coaxial cables are connected.

[0003] It has been recognized that it is important to tighten the cables to such connectors to specific torque values. Since such connectors are often used in very high density environments, such as avionics and the like, the connectors are often very tightly packed. This can create difficulties in attempting to properly torque each connector.

[0004] Torque wrenches are known for use with connectors as described above. However, in high density environments, the connectors are too closely spaced to be able to use known torque wrenches.

[0005] There continues to be a need for torque wrenches usable in connection with high density miniature and sub-miniature connectors. Preferably, such torque wrenches would not only be usable in high density environments to properly torque each connector, they will also be cost effective to manufacture in a variety of sizes to be usable with different nut sizes, are required by SMA, SSMA, SMC and other types of high density connectors.

[0012] While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated.

[0013] A torque wrench which embodies the invention incorporates an elongated hollow stem with a slot extending therealong. One end of the stem is coupled, via a torque limiting mechanism, to a handle. The other end of the stem carries a socket of a selected size. The slot extends through one of the faces of the socket.

[0014] It will be understood that a variety of torque limiting mechanisms could be incorporated into the present torque wrench without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. A disclosed embodiment incorporates an elongated coil spring carried by the handle so as to bias the stem toward the handle.

[0015] The handle and the adjacent end of the stem carry a plurality of mating surfaces. One set of surfaces is oriented such that as applied torque increases to a preset limit, the handle will decouple and slip relative to the stem.

[0016] The torque mating surfaces are configured so that torque is limited when tightening a nut on a threaded stem. The mating surfaces are configured such that no such limitation exists when the wrench is rotated in the opposite direction so as to uncouple the nut from the respective threads. The present torque wrench can be used with connectors having both internal or external threads.

[0017] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a torque wrench 10 in accordance with the invention. The wrench 10 includes a generally T-shaped handle 12 which is rotatably coupled to an elongated hollow stem 14. The handle 12 has a manually manipulatable section 16a which is generally oriented to be perpendicular to a center line A of the stem 14. The handle 12 terminates at a plurality of surfaces 16b radially disposed about the center line A of the stem 14.

[0018] The stem 14 has a first end 20a and a second end 20b. The first end 20a carries a plurality of surfaces indicated generally at 20a-1. The surfaces 20a-1 are radially disposed about the center line A of the stem 14 and, as discussed in more detail subsequently, engage the surfaces 16b.

[0019] The end 20b carries a socket 20c of a selected size and configuration depending on the style and type of nut to be tightened. It will be understood that neither the size nor the configuration of the socket 20c are limitations of the present invention.

[0020] Stem 14 defines an interior hollow region 14-1 which extends at least part way along stem 14 extending from socket 20c. The internal region 14-1 is exposed by slot 14-2 which extends at least part way along stem 14. The socket 20c exhibits a mating slot 20c-1 which is generally coextensive with the slot 14-2.

[0021] Portions of a torque limiting mechanism 24 include a threaded member or screw 24a which carries a coil spring 24b. The element 24 is slidably received within the stem 14. An end 24c of the connector 24a extends through a centrally located opening 14-3 of stem 14, adjacent to surfaces 20a-1, through an adjacent opening or boring 16c, best seen in FIG. 3, whereat the end 24c engages nut 24d. Member 24 when coupled to nut 24d rotatably attaches the handle 12 to the stem 14.

[0022] As discussed below, to tighten a nut, socket 20c is slid onto the nut and handle 12 is rotated in a direction T so as to screw the nut onto the respective threaded member. Element 24 in combination with surfaces 16b and 20a-1 limits tightening torque of the nut onto the receiving threads. To remove a nut, handle 12 is rotated opposite the direction T.

[0023] FIGS. 2–4 illustrate alternate views and additional details of the wrench 10. As illustrated therein, surfaces 16b include a plurality of identical multi-surfaced regions 30-1, -2, . . . -n disposed radially about a center line of the threaded element 24a.

[0024] The plurality of regions 30-1, -2, -3 . . . -n are identical and a description of region 30-1 is applicable to all of the others. The region 30-1 incorporates a surface 32-1 which extends generally parallel to central axis A of the stem 14 and element 24a. Surface 32-1 intersects planar angular surface 32-2 which extends radially relative to the axis A and perpendicular thereto. The radial surface 32-2 intersects biased surface 32-3.

[0025] The biased surface 32-3 which extends radially relative to the central axis A is at a selected angle relative to the surface 32-2 to implement the torque limiting feature of the wrench 10. The surface 32-3 intersects a planar wedge shaped surface 32-4 which extends radially relative to the axis A and parallel to the surface 32-2.

[0026] The surfaces 20a-1 carried on end 20a of stem 14 form a plurality of surfaces 36-1, -2 . . . -n which engage the previously discussed pluralities of surfaces 32-1, -2, -3 and -4. As best seen in FIG. 4, one of those pluralities of surfaces 36-1 includes a first surface 38-1 which extends generally parallel to the axis A and surface 32-1. The surface 38-1 intersects a radially extending surface 38-2 which extends parallel to the surface 32-2 relative to each of the pluralities 36-1, -2 . . . -n. The surface 38-2 intersects a surface 38-3 which is parallel to surface 32-3. Finally, the surface 38-3 intersects surface 38-4 which extends parallel to the surface 32-4.

[0027] As the handle 12 is rotated in the direction T tightening a threaded member or a nut contained in the socket 20c, the surfaces 32-3, 38-3, slide upon one another in opposition to the retaining force exerted by the coil spring 24b. As would be understood by those of skill in the art, the angle and length of the surfaces 32-3, 38-3 and the spring constant of the coil spring 24b in combination establish a maximum torque which can be exerted by the socket 20c in tightening the respective threaded member. When that torque limit is reached, the surfaces 32-3, 38-3 disengage.

[0028] To disconnect a threaded member or nut, the handle 12 of the wrench 10 is rotated in a direction opposite the direction T which causes surfaces 32-1 and 38-1 to engage one another transferring the torque from handle 12 to the socket 20c for purposes of releasing the threaded member.

[0029] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an exemplary element 40, which might be a portion of an RF or microwave circuit, and which carries a relatively high density plurality of threaded connectors 42, such as 42a, 42b . . . 42k. Each of the exemplary connectors 42 exhibits a threaded stud which could have an interior or an exterior thread all without limitation.

[0030] A plurality of coaxial cables indicated generally at 46 is to be screwed onto or coupled to the connectors 42. It will be understood that the connectors 42 can exhibit a variety of geometries without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. They can include, for example, without limitation, SMA, SSMA or SMC-type connectors.

[0031] Each of the coaxial cables, such as cable 46a carries a termination nut or element 46a-1. Each of the connector elements or nuts 46a-1, -2 . . . -m is to be coupled to a respective connector 42a, b, c . . . with an appropriate torque. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the wrench 10 is well suited for use with high density conductor configurations.

[0032] The socket 20c slidably engages the nut or connector element such as 46a-1, 46b-1, 46c-1 . . . with the respective coaxial cable 46a, b . . . extending from the slot 14-2. Handle 12 is rotated in the direction T to tighten the connector element or nut 46a-1, 45b-1, 46c-1 . . . onto the respective threaded member 42a, b, c . . . with the appropriate torque.

[0033] Once the appropriate torque has been reached, the torque limiting mechanism including element 24, surfaces 16b and surfaces 20a-1 disengage handle 12 from socket 20c. The user at that point can remove the wrench 10 from the connector.

[0034] Advantageously, the slot 14-2 of stem 14 and 20c-1 in socket 20c facilitate convenient and efficient disconnection of the wrench 10 from not only the nut or connector element 46a-1 but also from the respective RF cable such as 46a. The T-shaped handle 12 makes it easy and convenient for the user to quickly tighten the threaded element 46a-1 onto the respective connector member, such as 42a, without having to worry about exceeding the specified connecting torque.

[0035] It will be understood that the wrench 10 can exhibit a plurality of different socket sizes and configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Additionally, none of the configuration of the connectors, such as the connector 42a, b . . . represent a limitation of the present invention. The slot need only extend through socket 20c if desired.

[0036] From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.