Torque limiting socket and method of using same

Abstract

In a preferred embodiment, a driver socket is configured to provide a visual indicator on a portion of a locknut upon application of a predetermined torque to the driver socket relative to the locknut. The driver socket has a member which is positioned proximate to the first end, with a portion thereof protruding into an aperture of the driver socket. The member is configured to engage a drive configuration of a locknut in order to apply nut torque to the locknut upon rotation of the drive socket and to form a mark on the drive configuration of the locknut in order to provide a visual indicator on the locknut that the locknut has been subjected to the desired torque during initial assembly. The driver socket is preferably attached to a ratchet arm of a fastening tool which provides a mechanical advantage in applying the desired torque.

1 . A drive socket comprising:
 a body having first and second ends, an outer surface extending from said first end to said second end, and an aperture which extends from said first end to said second end; and   at least one member which is positioned within said body proximate to said first end thereof, wherein a portion of said at least one member protrudes into said aperture.   
     
     
         2 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one member includes two members. 
     
     
         3 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 2 , wherein each member is positioned opposite one another, about 180 degrees apart from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one member is a ball bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one member is a cylindrical rod. 
     
     
         6 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said body and said at least one member are non-integrally formed. 
     
     
         7 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface defines a drive portion and a non-drive portion which are separated from one another by a shoulder, said non-drive portion extending from said first end to said shoulder, said drive portion extending from said shoulder to said second end. 
     
     
         8 . The drive socket as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said drive portion has a hexagonal configuration. 
     
     
         9 . A fastening assembly comprising:
 a first article of configuration configured to have at least one protrusion extending therefrom; and   a second article of configuration having a drive configuration, said at least one protrusion of said first article of configuration configured to provide a visual indicator on a portion of said drive configuration upon application of a predetermined torque to said first article of configuration relative to said second article of configuration.   
     
     
         10 . The fastening assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one protrusion extends into an aperture provided through said first article of configuration and said drive configuration is provided on an external surface of said second article of configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The fastening assembly as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said first article of configuration is a drive socket and wherein said second article of configuration is a locknut. 
     
     
         12 . The fastening assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one protrusion is a portion of a ball bearing. 
     
     
         13 . The fastening assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one protrusion is a portion of a cylindrical rod. 
     
     
         14 . The fastening assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said drive configuration is a TORX® drive configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The fastening assembly as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said drive configuration is a TORX PLUS® drive configuration. 
     
     
         16 . A fastening tool comprising:
 a first driver socket having first and second ends, an outer surface extending from said first end to said second end, said outer surface defining an external drive configuration proximate to said second end, and an aperture which extends from said first end to said second end, said first driver socket further having at least one member which is positioned therein proximate to said first end thereof, wherein a portion of said at least one member protrudes into said aperture, said protruding portion of said at least one member being configured to engage an external drive configuration of a locknut;   a second driver socket having first and second ends, an outer surface extending from said first end to said second end, said outer surface defining an external drive configuration proximate to said second end, said second driver socket defining a recess at said first end thereof which defines an internal drive configuration that is configured to engage an external drive configuration of a bolt, said first end of said second driver socket being positioned within said aperture of said first driver socket, but spaced from said protruding portion of said at least one member, said second end of said second driver socket being positioned outside of said aperture of said first driver socket and spaced from said second end of said first driver socket;   a ratchet arm which is configured to engage said external drive configuration defined on said outer surface of said first driver socket; and   a handle which is configured to engage said external drive configuration defined on said outer surface of said second driver socket.   
     
     
         17 . The fastening tool as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said handle is releasably secured to said second driver socket. 
     
     
         18 . The fastening tool as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said at least one member positioned within said first driver socket includes two members. 
     
     
         19 . The fastening tool as defined in  claim 18 , wherein each member is positioned opposite one another, about 180 degrees apart from one another. 
     
     
         20 . The fastening tool as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said at least one member positioned within said first driver socket is a ball bearing. 
     
     
         21 . The fastening tool as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said at least one member positioned within said first driver socket is a cylindrical rod. 
     
     
         22 . The fastening tool as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said first driver socket and said at least one member are non-integrally formed. 
     
     
         23 . A method of providing a visual indicator to a fastener assembly to ensure that a proper torque has been applied thereto, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a first article of configuration configured to have at least one protrusion extending therefrom;   providing a second article of configuration having a drive configuration;   engaging said at least one protrusion of said first article of configuration with said drive configuration of said second article of configuration;   applying torque to said first article of configuration which, in turn, applies said torque to said second article of configuration until said second article of configuration is fixed in place while applying a predetermined torque value which in turn provides a predetermined clamp load; and   applying further torque to said first article of configuration after said predetermined torque valve has been achieved such that said at least one protrusion of said first article of configuration marks a portion of said drive configuration of said second article of configuration, thereby providing a visual indicator on said second article of configuration.   
     
     
         24 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said at least one protrusion extends into an aperture provided through said first article of configuration and said drive configuration is provided on an external surface of said second article of configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The method as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said first article of configuration is a drive socket and wherein said second article of configuration is a locknut. 
     
     
         26 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said at least one protrusion is a portion of a ball bearing. 
     
     
         27 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said at least one protrusion is a portion of a cylindrical rod. 
     
     
         28 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said drive configuration is a TORX® drive configuration having a plurality of external lobes. 
     
     
         29 . The method as defined in  claim 28 , wherein the step of applying further torque to said first article of configuration after said predetermined torque value has been achieved causes said at least one protrusion of said first article of configuration to mark at least one of said external lobes by forming a notch in said at least one external lobe of said second article of configuration. 
     
     
         30 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said drive configuration is a TORR PLUS® drive configuration having a plurality of external lobes. 
     
     
         31 . The method as defined in  claim 30 , wherein the step of applying further torque to said first article of configuration after said predetermined torque value has been achieved causes said at least one protrusion of said first article of configuration to mark at least one of said external lobes by forming a notch in said at least one external lobe of said second article of configuration. 
     
     
         32 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said first article of configuration applies said torque to said second article of configuration via said at least one protrusion.