Jointed stall bar attachment

Abstract

A torque transfer device is provided to transfer torque from a torque tool to a torque limiter device, the torque transfer device comprising a torque limiter connection member adapted for connection to the torque limiter device; a first joint; a second joint; and a tool connection member adapted for connection to the torque tool, wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to lock responsive to activation of the torque tool to transfer a reaction torque generated by the torque tool to the torque limiter device, and wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to unlock responsive to deactivation of the torque tool to enable rotation between the torque tool and the torque limiter device along a first axis and a second axis different from the first axis.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A torque transfer device ( 30 ,  300 ) to transfer torque from a torque tool ( 12 ) to a torque limiter device ( 14 ), the torque transfer device comprising:
 a torque limiter connection member ( 50 ,  302 ,  518 ) adapted for connection to the torque limiter device;   a first joint ( 54 ,  306 );   a second joint ( 68 ,  310 ); and   a tool connection member ( 36 ,  370 ) adapted for connection to the torque tool,   wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to lock responsive to activation of the torque tool to transfer a reaction torque generated by the torque tool to the torque limiter device, and   wherein the first joint and the second joint are configured to unlock responsive to deactivation of the torque tool to enable rotation between the torque tool and the torque limiter device along a first axis and a second axis different from the first axis.   
     
     
         2 . The torque transfer device of  claim 1 , wherein the first joint ( 54 ,  306 ) includes a first gear ( 84 ) and a first reaction gear ( 90 ,  404 ), the first gear ( 84 ) being movable from a first position of the first gear ( 84 ) wherein the first gear ( 84 ) is disengaged from the first reaction gear ( 90 ,  404 ) to a second position of the first gear ( 84 ) wherein the first gear ( 84 ) engages the first reaction gear ( 90 ,  404 ) to lock the first joint. 
     
     
         3 . The torque transfer device of  claim 2 , further comprising a first frame ( 330 ) and a first actuator ( 352 ) secured to the first gear and to the first frame and configured to move the first gear relative to the first frame. 
     
     
         4 . The torque transfer device of  claim 3 , wherein activation of the first actuator moves the first gear into the first reaction gear to lock the first joint. 
     
     
         5 . The torque transfer device of  claim 3 , further comprising a first spring ( 128 ) exerting tension against the first frame, wherein deactivation of the first actuator causes the first spring to move the first gear into the first reaction gear to lock the first joint. 
     
     
         6 . The torque transfer device of  claim 3 , further comprising a first spring ( 128 ) exerting tension against the first frame, wherein deactivation of the first actuator causes the first spring to move the first gear out of the first reaction gear to unlock the first joint. 
     
     
         7 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 1 , wherein the first reaction gear comprises teeth projecting inwardly from an inner periphery thereof, and the first gear comprises an outer periphery with teeth projecting outwardly therefrom, and wherein when the first gear engages the first reaction gear the teeth of the first gear and the teeth of the first reaction gear mesh to lock the first joint. 
     
     
         8 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 7 , wherein the first joint further comprises an upper outer gear disposed between the first frame and the first reaction gear and having an inner periphery with teeth projecting inwardly therefrom, and wherein the teeth of the first gear, the teeth of the upper outer gear, and the teeth of the first reaction gear mesh to lock the first joint. 
     
     
         9 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 8 , wherein the first joint further comprises a spacer ( 108 ) affixed to the first gear and configured to limit movement of the firstgear into the first reaction gear. 
     
     
         10 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 9 , wherein the spacer is removably affixed to the inner gear. 
     
     
         11 . The torque transfer device of  claim 2 , further comprising a second joint ( 66 ,  310 ) including a second gear ( 184 ) and a second reaction gear ( 190 ,  454 ), the secondgear ( 184 ) being movable from a first position of the second gear ( 184 ) wherein the second gear ( 84 ) is disengaged from the second reaction gear ( 90 ,  404 ) to a second position of the second gear ( 84 ) wherein the second gear ( 84 ) is engages the second reaction gear ( 90 ,  404 ) to lock the second joint. 
     
     
         12 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a first joint assembly and a second joint assembly, the first joint assembly comprising the first joint, a first frame supporting the first joint, and a first actuator configured to lock and unlock the first joint, and the second joint assembly comprising the second joint, a second frame supporting the second joint, and a second actuator configured to lock and unlock the second joint. 
     
     
         13 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a tool adapter ( 70 ,  550 ) connected to the tool connection member, the tool adapter having an opening ( 72 ) configured to receive the torque tool. 
     
     
         14 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 13 , wherein the tool adapter is removably connected to the tool connection member. 
     
     
         15 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 13 , wherein the tool adapter includes a bearing ( 556 ) adapted to rotatably connect the torque tool to the tool connection member, to enable rotation with at least three degrees of freedom between the torque tool and the torque limiter device. 
     
     
         16 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 13 , wherein the torque limiterconnection member is removably connected to the first frame. 
     
     
         17 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 1 , wherein the first axis and the second axis are perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         18 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to receive a torque tool activation signal and, responsive to the torque tool activation signal, to output a control signal configured to lock the first joint and the second joint. 
     
     
         19 . A torque transfer device as in  claim 1 , wherein the torque limiter device comprises a stall bar. 
     
     
         20 . A torque transfer device ( 30 ,  300 ) to transfer torque from a torque tool ( 12 ) to a torque limiter device ( 14 ), the torque transfer device comprising:
 a torque limiter connection member ( 50 ,  302 ,  518 ) adapted for connection to the torque limiter device;   a tool connection member ( 36 ,  370 ) adapted for connection to the torque tool,   first joint means for rotatably joining the torque limiter connection member to the tool connection member to permit the torque tool to rotate about a first axis relative to the torque limiter device when the torque tool is not activated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis when the torque tool is activated; and   second joint means for rotatably joining the first joint means to the tool connection member to permit the torque tool to rotate about a second axis relative to the torque limiter device when the torque tool is not activated and to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the second axis when the torque tool is activated.   
     
     
         21 . A method of torqueing a securement member with a torque tool, the method comprising:
 connecting a torque transfer device ( 30 ,  300 ) to the torque tool ( 12 );   connecting the torque transfer device ( 30 ,  300 ) to a torque limiter device, wherein the torque transfer device comprises a first joint configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a first axis relative to the torque limiter device, and the torque transfer device also comprises a second joint configured to permit the torque tool to rotate about a second axis relative to the torque limiter device;   activating the torque tool, whereby activation of the torque tool locks the first joint and the second joint to prevent rotation of the torque tool about the first axis and the second axis; and   deactivating the torque tool, whereby deactivation of the torque tool unlocks the first joint and the second joint to permit rotation of the torque tool about the first axis and the second axis.   
     
     
         22 . A method of torqueing a securement member with a torque tool, wherein the torque transfer device is normally locked, and activating the torque tool disengages a first gear from a first reaction gear to unlock the first joint.